France proposes added sugar ban for infant foods
May 14, 2026
France is moving to prohibit added sugars in foods for infants and young children, going beyond existing EU rules. If adopted, the measure could have wide implications for formulation, labelling and market access. With strong political backing, food businesses may need to act early to manage regulatory, commercial and reputational risk.
Policy momentum on sugars in early life nutrition is shifting, driven by growing concern about infant and young child exposure to sugars and potential long term health impacts.
EU: Current EU legislation for foods intended for infants and young children permits certain ingredients, including sugars, within strict compositional limits.
EFSA: The European Food Safety Authority has concluded that intakes of added and free sugars should be as low as possible as part of a nutritionally adequate diet, reflecting concerns over dental caries, energy balance and broader metabolic health.
WHO: The World Health Organization continues to recommend limiting free sugars intake across the life course, including early childhood, highlighting the importance of establishing healthy dietary patterns from infancy.
What is France proposing?
France is now positioning itself at the leading edge of this shift. In March 2026, the French National Assembly unanimously adopted a proposal to prohibit added sugars in foods intended for infants and children up to three years of age. The draft law would ban the placing on the market of such products, subject to limited exceptions and penalties for non-compliance. The proposal is currently under consideration by the Senate, representing the next stage in the legislative process. If adopted, the law is expected to apply from January 2028, allowing a defined transition period for reformulation and portfolio adjustment.
This initiative also reflects a broader global trend.
Global trends in added sugars regulation for infant foods
In March 2025, Brazil advanced its legislation to prohibit added sugars and sweeteners in industrially processed foods for infants under 1 year, aligning explicitly with WHO recommendations. If this legislation progresses without major delays, further Senate review and lower house approval could occur during 2026, with presidential sanction possible in late 2026 or 2027.
In contrast, for infant and young child foods, the UK continues to take a largely voluntary, guidance-led approach, which may increase divergence between key EU markets. Voluntary guidance introduced in August 2025 encourages manufacturers to reduce sugar and salt levels and strengthen labelling, with an 18-month implementation period ending February 2027. The government has signalled that mandatory measures could follow if voluntary uptake is inadequate.
What food and drink businesses can do
Product development programmes looking at reducing added sugars may require reformulation to protect taste, texture and shelf life. Ingredient choices – particularly the use of fruit‑based ingredients and how sugars are classified – are likely to face closer scrutiny.
In addition, watching France may also act as an early test case for wider EU action; and aligning early with WHO and EFSA expectations can help companies manage future risk and maintain consumer trust
Leatherhead Food Research supports horizon scanning, regulatory interpretation and reformulation strategies to help businesses assess portfolio risk and prepare for evolving nutrition policy. Speak with our experts to understand the potential impact across markets.
