FSSAI Infant Nutrition Amendment 2026: Proposed Sugar Restrictions

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a change to India's infant nutrition standards. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, manufacturers would no longer be allowed to add sucrose or fructose to food products intended for infants up to six months of age.

The draft amendment was published in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced the development on 17 October 2026.

For businesses manufacturing or importing infant nutrition products, this proposal deserves attention. Companies using these ingredients may need to review their formulations and make changes once the new requirements are finalised.

The proposed restriction is not yet in force. FSSAI has opened the draft for public consultation, giving stakeholders an opportunity to submit objections and suggestions before the regulations are finalised. 

FSSAI Infant Nutrition Amendment 2026: Notification at a Glance

The proposal focuses on a specific change in permitted ingredients. It does not announce a new food business licensing system or introduce a separate FSSAI registration requirement.

What Are the Existing FSSAI Regulations for Infant Nutrition Products?

Manufacturers of infant food products must follow the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, along with other applicable food safety requirements.

These regulations set standards for the nutritional composition, quality and safety of various food products intended for infants and young children from birth up to 24 months.

The requirements differ according to the type of product and the age group for which it is intended. A product developed for a new born may not have the same composition requirements as food intended for an older infant.

The October 2026 proposal addresses a particular issue within this wider framework: the use of added sucrose and fructose in products intended for infants during their first six months.

What Do the Existing Rules Say About Sugars?

The existing regulations recognise lactose and glucose polymers as preferred carbohydrate sources. They also allow sucrose and/or fructose to be added when required as carbohydrate sources, provided the applicable limits are followed.

FSSAI now proposes a stricter requirement for products intended for infants up to six months old. Instead of permitting these two sugars under certain conditions, the draft seeks to prevent their addition altogether in products covered by the new provision.

The important distinction is that the proposal targets added sucrose and fructose, not all carbohydrates or every naturally occurring sugar in an infant nutrition product.

Why Is FSSAI Proposing Restrictions on Added Sugars in Infant Food?

Nutrition during the first six months of life plays an important role in a baby's growth and development. Products intended for this age group must provide appropriate nutrition without ingredients that are unnecessary for their intended purpose. FSSAI's proposed amendment aims to reduce early exposure to added sucrose and fructose while strengthening standards for infant nutrition products.

The government's announcement also refers to wider public-health concerns associated with early added-sugar exposure, including dietary risk factors linked to childhood obesity and related health challenges.

The proposal supports established recommendations promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. It is intended to ensure that products regulated for infant nutrition are formulated according to the nutritional needs of their intended age group.  For food manufacturers, this means paying closer attention to the purpose of each ingredient used in a product formulation, particularly where added sugars are involved.

What Changes Are Proposed Under the FSSAI Infant Nutrition Amendment 2026?

The draft amendment proposes one main change: sucrose and fructose should not be added to nutrition products intended for infants up to six months of age. Although the proposed provision is brief, manufacturers may need to examine several aspects of their products to determine whether the restriction would affect them.

Proposed Restriction on Added Sucrose

Sucrose is the type of sugar commonly known as table sugar. It is made up of glucose and fructose.

Under the current framework described in the official announcement, sucrose can be used as a carbohydrate source in certain circumstances, subject to prescribed limits. The draft seeks to remove that permission for products intended for infants up to six months.

If the amendment is finalised in its proposed form, affected manufacturers would need to ensure that sucrose is not intentionally added to their products.

Proposed Restriction on Added Fructose

Fructose is a naturally occurring sugar found in fruits and other foods. It may also be used as an ingredient in manufactured food products. The proposed amendment would prevent manufacturers from adding fructose to covered infant nutrition products.

For businesses, the practical question is whether any product intended for the specified age group contains added fructose, either as a separately listed ingredient or within a more complex formulation.

The draft concerns the addition of fructose. It should not be described as a general prohibition on every naturally occurring trace of fructose without support from the applicable legal text.

Why Is the Restriction Limited to Six Months?

The broader infant nutrition regulations cover products intended for children from birth to 24 months. However, the October 2026 draft specifically addresses products intended for infants up to six months.

This age distinction is important for businesses manufacturing more than one category of infant nutrition product.

Manufacturers must determine which product standards apply to each formulation instead of assuming that all products intended for children below two years are subject to identical requirements.

Which Infant Food Products Could Be Affected by the FSSAI Draft Amendment?

The proposed restrictions concern infant nutrition products intended for babies up to six months, where those products fall within the relevant regulatory provisions.

Manufacturers should examine the regulatory classification, age suitability and ingredients of each product.

The draft does not mean that every infant food product on the market must be reformulated.

Whether changes become necessary will depend on the product's intended age group, existing ingredients, applicable standards and final amendment wording.

Existing vs Proposed FSSAI Standards for Infant Nutrition Products

The comparison below explains the main regulatory development.

The most important change is the proposed move from conditional permission to a prohibition on adding the two specified sugars to covered products.

Until the amendment is finalised and becomes applicable, businesses must continue following the existing regulations.

What Is the Role of Lactose and Glucose Polymers in Infant Nutrition Products?

The FSSAI proposal does not suggest removing carbohydrates from infant nutrition products.

Carbohydrates are an important energy source. The regulatory discussion instead concerns which carbohydrate ingredients may be used and under what conditions.

Lactose

Lactose is a sugar naturally found in milk, including breast milk. It is an important carbohydrate used in many milk-based infant nutrition formulations. The existing regulations described by PIB recognise lactose as a preferred carbohydrate source.

However, manufacturers must still meet the nutritional composition standards applicable to their specific products.

Glucose Polymers

Glucose polymers are carbohydrates made up of linked glucose units. They can be used in certain nutritional products to supply energy. Their suitability depends on the product formulation and applicable food standards.

For manufacturers considering formulation changes, the presence of lactose or glucose polymers in the regulations does not automatically mean that either can replace every other carbohydrate ingredient in any quantity.

Any formulation change must be assessed against the complete nutritional requirements for that product.

How Will the Proposed Amendment Affect Infant Food Manufacturers and Importers?

The proposed restrictions may have different consequences depending on the products a business manufactures or imports. For companies already producing products without added sucrose or fructose, the immediate work may mainly involve checking formulations and confirming product applicability.

Businesses using these ingredients in covered formulations may need to evaluate whether changes would become necessary.

1. Manufacturers May Need to Review Product Formulations

The first step is to identify products intended for infants up to six months and check whether sucrose or fructose has been intentionally added. If affected products contain either ingredient, manufacturers may need to consider alternative formulations once the final regulations are known.

Changing a formula is not simply a matter of removing sugar. The finished product must continue to meet the nutritional composition and safety requirements that apply to it. For this reason, any potential reformulation should involve the appropriate technical and quality personnel.

2. Ingredient Specifications May Need Closer Attention

Manufacturers use ingredients purchased from different suppliers. Some ingredients are single substances, while others contain several components.

Businesses can review ingredient specifications and supplier information to understand whether added sucrose or fructose is present. This can help identify products that may need closer attention if the amendment becomes final.

3. Importers Should Review Products Against Indian Standards

Companies importing infant nutrition products into India need to consider the Indian regulations applicable to those products. If the proposed restriction becomes enforceable, importers of affected products may need to work with overseas manufacturers to confirm that their formulations meet the revised requirements. Products developed for markets outside India should not automatically be assumed to satisfy every Indian composition standard.

Businesses seeking an FSSAI Central License for food import should separately assess the licensing requirements applicable to their import operations. The proposed infant nutrition amendment does not create a new category of import licence. 

4. Product Documentation May Need to Be Reviewed

A product's technical records and ingredient declarations should accurately reflect its composition. Where a manufacturer changes a formulation, relevant records may also need to be updated under the applicable requirements.

The October 2026 draft does not independently announce a new packaging format or product-labelling deadline. Any future changes should therefore be based on the final amendment and the existing labelling regulations that apply to the product.

FSSAI Draft Amendment 2026: Public Consultation and Stakeholder Submissions

FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders before making a final decision on the proposed restriction. This gives manufacturers, importers and other interested parties an opportunity to present relevant concerns about the amendment.

How Long Is the Consultation Period?

The consultation period is 60 days from the date on which copies of the Official Gazette containing the draft notification are made available to the public.

The draft was published on 16 October 2026, but the precise closing date must be determined using the legally relevant Gazette availability date and applicable counting rule. Businesses intending to submit comments should confirm the deadline and submission instructions in the original notification.

Who Can Submit Comments?

Manufacturers, industry associations, ingredient suppliers, regulatory professionals and other interested stakeholders may consider submitting representations. Comments should be based on matters relevant to the proposal, such as product composition, technical feasibility or the interpretation of the proposed provision.

What Happens After the Consultation?

FSSAI will consider representations received within the prescribed period before finalising the amendment. The final regulation may retain the proposed wording or incorporate changes.

Until a final notification establishes the operative position, businesses should not assume that every element of the draft will become legally binding. 

What Should Infant Food Manufacturers Do Before the New Rules Are Finalised?

Businesses do not need to treat the draft as an immediate ban. However, preparation can help them understand whether the final amendment is likely to affect their products.

The following checklist provides a practical starting point.

These are recommended preparatory steps rather than obligations newly imposed by the draft.

Businesses should avoid making unnecessary changes based on assumptions about the final wording.

What Happens If Manufacturers Do Not Follow the Final FSSAI Requirements?

The October 2026 draft does not announce a new penalty or special enforcement mechanism for the proposed restriction.

Once any final amendment becomes applicable, affected food businesses would need to comply with the operative requirements under the relevant food safety framework. Non-compliance with applicable food safety laws can have regulatory consequences depending on the nature of the violation and the governing provisions.

However, it would be misleading to assign a specific fine, licence suspension period or other penalty to this proposed amendment without verifying the applicable legal provision. Manufacturers should focus on understanding the final rule, checking product applicability and meeting the requirements that actually come into force.

Does the FSSAI Infant Nutrition Amendment Create a New Licence Requirement?

No separate FSSAI licensing category is introduced by the October 2026 draft described in the official announcement. Manufacturers and importers must continue to assess the FSSAI licence or registration requirements applicable to their existing or proposed business activities.

The appropriate licence depends on factors specified in the applicable licensing regulations. For businesses entering the infant nutrition industry, FSSAI licence application, product compliance and food business requirements should be considered as related but distinct matters.

Obtaining an FSSAI licence does not, by itself, mean that every manufactured product automatically meets all applicable composition standards. Similarly, the proposed restriction does not mean that every existing infant food manufacturer must immediately apply for a new licence.

How Corpseed Can Help with FSSAI Licensing and Compliance Services

Businesses manufacturing or importing infant nutrition products may need assistance understanding their existing FSSAI licensing obligations and the regulations applicable to their activities.

Corpseed provides FSSAI License and Registration Services for food business operators, including support with identifying relevant licensing requirements and preparing application documentation. 

Depending on the business requirement, relevant services include:

• FSSAI License Registration: Assistance with the applicable food business licensing or registration process.
• FSSAI Central License: Licensing assistance for businesses whose activities fall within the Central Licence category.
• FSSAI State License: Support for eligible businesses seeking a State Licence.
• FSSAI License Renewal: Assistance with renewing an existing food business licence.
• FSSAI Application Documentation: Help with preparing the documents required for the applicable licensing process.

Manufacturers searching for an FSSAI License for Infant Food Manufacturers should first identify the type of manufacturing activity, applicable product standards and licensing category. Importers should similarly check the requirements applicable to bringing food products into India.

Key Takeaways

• FSSAI has proposed restricting the addition of sucrose and fructose to nutrition products intended for infants up to six months old.
• The draft was published in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026 and announced by PIB on 17 October 2026.
• The proposed restriction is not yet an enforceable final amendment.
• Manufacturers and importers should review potentially affected products, ingredient specifications and applicable existing standards.
• Stakeholders may submit objections or suggestions during the prescribed consultation period.
• The draft does not establish a new FSSAI licence category, special penalty or confirmed implementation date.

Need help with FSSAI licensing for your food manufacturing or import business?

Contact Corpseed to discuss the licensing requirements and documentation relevant to your operations.