FSSAI Curbs Sugar In Baby Food And Pesticides In Tea: What Parents And Chai Lovers Should Know

FSSAI Curbs Sugar In Baby Food And Pesticides In Tea (Credits: X)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed two changes that could affect products found in Indian households, from food meant for infants to the tea brewed in millions of kitchens every morning. The food regulator has proposed restricting the addition of sucrose and fructose in products intended for babies up to 6 months of age, alongside introducing limits for two pesticide residues in tea. Both measures are part of draft amendments published on October 16, 2026, and are yet to be finalised.

Under the proposed amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, manufacturers would not be allowed to add sucrose and fructose to products intended for infants up to 6 months old. Sucrose is the common sugar found in table sugar, while fructose is a naturally occurring sugar found in fruits and honey. Both can also be used as ingredients in processed foods.

The proposal aims to reduce unnecessary exposure to added sugars during early infancy, a crucial period for growth and development. Excessive sugar consumption is a recognised public health concern, with dietary habits linked to the…

Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle