Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Maharashtra FDA Tightens Infant Food Rules, Bans Formula Marketing
Maharashtra is making companies follow stricter rules when selling food for babies.
Every package must say that mother’s milk is best for the baby.
Labels must explain how to prepare the product and when to begin complementary foods.
Those foods should be introduced only after six months.
Companies cannot advertise infant formula or give away samples, gifts or discounts.
They also cannot use influencers or social media to promote these products.
Pictures of babies or women and some health-related words are not allowed on labels.
Hospitals and doctors must report suspected problems, while manufacturers must report serious problems quickly.
Businesses that break the rules may have products seized, licences suspended or fines imposed.
Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration ordered immediate compliance with stricter labelling, sales and marketing rules for infant nutrition products.
Packages must prominently display “IMPORTANT NOTICE & MOTHER’S MILK IS BEST FOR YOUR BABY” and include preparation and feeding instructions.
Advertising, discounts, free samples, gifts, coupons, cashback, influencer promotions and social-media marketing for covered products are prohibited.
The rules cover formula, follow-up foods, complementary and traditional infant foods, special medical-purpose foods and feeding bottles across the supply chain.
Violations can lead to seizures, licence action, prosecution and penalties of up to Rs 10 lakh, while serious adverse events must be reported within 48 hours.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, and businesses involved in infant nutrition products.
- What
- The FDA ordered stricter labelling, marketing, distribution, reporting and compliance requirements for infant formula and related products.
- When
- The order was issued on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, and took immediate effect.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra, including manufacturers, retailers, pharmacies, hospitals and e-commerce platforms.
- Why
- The order is intended to protect infants, enforce infant-food and food-safety laws, and address inspection findings and concerns about breastfeeding practices.
- Mandatory package notice
- “IMPORTANT NOTICE & MOTHER'S MILK IS BEST FOR YOUR BABY” must appear prominently on the front of packages.
- Products covered
- Infant milk substitutes, infant and follow-up formula, complementary and traditional infant foods, special medical-purpose foods and feeding bottles.
- Marketing restrictions
- Advertisements, free samples, gifts, coupons, cashback, discounts, influencer promotions and social-media promotion are prohibited.
- Required label information
- Packages must include preparation warnings, feeding instructions, health-worker advice and guidance that complementary foods begin after six months.
- Compliance deadlines
- Serious adverse events must be reported within 48 hours; manufacturers must complete compliance self-audits within 30 days.
- Inspection timeline
- FDA officials will map sellers and begin risk-based inspections within 45 days.
- Potential penalties
- Penalties can reach Rs 10 lakh for misleading advertisements or unlicensed businesses, Rs 5 lakh for substandard food and Rs 3 lakh for misbranded food; IMS Act violations may also bring imprisonment of up to three years.
