UAE sets new sodium, sugar and fat limits; violators face fines up to Dh500,000

The UAE has introduced new limits on sodium, sugar and fat in selected food products as part of a nationwide effort to promote healthier diets and tackle obesity and other noncommunicable diseases.

The new resolution applies to specified packaged foods manufactured locally or imported into the UAE, including products handled by companies operating in free zones.

New Nutrition Limits for Food Products

The rules introduce phased reductions in sodium, processed sugar and fat across several commonly consumed food categories.

These include:

• Bread

• Sweetened milk drinks and milk alternatives

• Flavoured yoghurt and laban

• Salty snacks

• Processed cheese

The Ministry of Health and Prevention said the resolution establishes a national framework to gradually reduce targeted ingredients and improve the nutritional value of food products.

New Limits for Bread and Dairy Products

The first group of products includes bread, sweetened milk drinks, flavoured yoghurt and laban, and selected salty snacks.

For leavened bread, the sodium limit will initially be 444mg per 100g, along with 6g of total sugars and 8.4g of total fat. These limits will eventually fall to 370mg of sodium, 5g of sugar and 7g of fat.

For flat bread, the first-phase limits are 384mg of sodium, 6g of sugar and 8.4g of fat per 100g. In the final phase, these will be reduced to 320mg, 5g and 7g respectively.

Sweetened milk drinks, including milk alternatives, will have a sugar limit of 9.6g in the first phase, falling to 8g in the final phase.

For sweetened or flavoured yoghurt and laban, the sugar limit will drop from 12g to 10g.

Sodium Limits for Salty Snacks

The UAE is also introducing lower sodium limits for several popular snack categories.

The maximum sodium levels will eventually be reduced as follows:

Salted crackers: 696mg to 580mg
Salted nuts and seeds: 336mg to 280mg
Pretzels: 912mg to 760mg
Extruded snacks and chips: 564mg to 470mg
The measures are intended to reduce excessive sodium consumption and encourage manufacturers to reformulate products.

Processed Cheese Also Covered

Processed cheese forms the second group of products covered by the resolution.

For spreadable processed cheese, the sodium limit will decrease from 864mg in the first phase to 720mg in the final phase.

For other processed cheese products, the limit will fall from 1,200mg to 1,000mg.

Businesses Given Time to Comply

Companies handling products in the first group will have nine months from the effective date of the resolution to meet the first-phase limits.

They must then continue reducing the targeted ingredients to meet the final limits by December 31, 2030.

Businesses dealing with processed cheese will have two years and three months to meet the first-phase requirements, while the final limits must also be achieved by December 31, 2030.

Products manufactured or imported before the resolution takes effect can remain on sale for up to one year or until their expiry date, whichever comes first.

Exceptions Allowed in Certain Cases

Businesses may apply for an exception to the first-phase limits if meeting the requirement would require a reduction of more than 20 per cent in a targeted ingredient.

Applications must be submitted to the Ministry within 30 days of the resolution taking effect and must include technical information, registered nutrition-label details and accredited laboratory test results.

However, an exception does not remove the requirement to eventually meet the final limits by December 31, 2030.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Food establishments that fail to meet the requirements could face administrative penalties ranging from warnings to fines of between Dh5,000 and Dh500,000.

Authorities may also order the closure of a violating establishment for up to six months, with the possibility of renewal. In serious cases, a licence or approval may be cancelled in coordination with the relevant licensing authority.

The resolution applies across the food supply chain, covering production, manufacturing, preparation, processing, packaging, transportation, import, storage, distribution, serving, display and sale.

Products manufactured or imported specifically for direct export or onward export outside the UAE are exempt, unless they are subsequently traded within the country.

Authorities to Monitor Compliance

Federal and local health authorities, along with other relevant bodies, will oversee implementation and monitor compliance in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

The UAE said the measures are aimed at improving the nutritional quality of food products and supporting healthier and more balanced food choices across the country.