FSSAI proposes ban on added sugars in infant foods: Why it wants to act and how sucrose, fructose can harm babies
FSSAI has proposed banning sucrose and fructose in foods for infants up to six months, aiming to limit early exposure to added sugars and support age-appropriate nutrition. Details here.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a ban on added sugars like sucrose and fructose in infant nutrition products for babies up to six months old. The proposal forms part of a draft amendment to the infant nutrition regulations, aimed at limiting early sugar exposure during a critical stage of growth and development.
The draft, published in the Gazette on October 16, seeks to ensure infant nutrition products are formulated according to age-appropriate nutritional requirements, particularly minimizing added sugar intake during the earliest stages of life. This move follows a 2024 controversy where Nestlé was found to have added sugar to Cerelac sold in India but offered sugar-free versions in Europe.
The regulation currently allows sucrose and fructose in infant nutrition for children aged up to 24 months. However, the proposed amendment would eliminate this allowance for products intended for babies up to six months old. The move aims to protect infants during a critical developmental period, aligning with public health recommendations on infant feeding, including exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
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