The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said the measure aims to protect public health, curb excessive salt and sugar consumption, and reduce obesity.
The UAE has begun implementing new rules that limit sodium, sugar, and fat levels in selected packaged foods, with businesses facing fines of up to Dh500,000 for violations.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention said the measure aims to improve the nutritional quality of everyday food products, curb excessive salt and sugar consumption, and reduce obesity and other noncommunicable diseases.
The resolution establishes phased limits for selected packaged foods manufactured locally or imported into the UAE. It covers food businesses operating across the supply chain, including those in free zones, from production and processing to storage, distribution and retail.
Products manufactured or imported exclusively for export are exempt unless they are traded within the UAE.
New Sodium and Sugar Limits for Bread
The rules introduce lower nutritional limits in two phases, with the first stage applying within specified transition periods and the final limits taking effect no later than December 31, 2030.
For leavened bread, the maximum sodium content will fall from 444 milligrams to 370 milligrams per 100 grams. The total sugar limit will decrease from 6 grams to 5 grams, while the total fat limit will drop from 8.4 grams to 7 grams.
Flatbread will face similar reductions. Its sodium limit will fall from 384 milligrams to 320 milligrams per 100 grams, while the sugar and fat limits will decrease from 6 grams to 5 grams and from 8.4 grams to 7 grams, respectively.
Limits for Sweetened Milk Drinks and Salty Snacks
Sweetened milk drinks, including milk alternatives, will have a total sugar limit of 9.6 grams per 100 grams in the first phase, falling to 8 grams in the final phase.
For sweetened or flavoured yoghurt and laban, the limit will decline from 12 grams to 10 grams.
The resolution also targets sodium levels in popular salty snacks. The limits for salted crackers will fall from 696 milligrams to 580 milligrams per 100 grams. Salted nuts and seeds will face a reduction from 336 milligrams to 280 milligrams, while pretzels will move from 912 milligrams to 760 milligrams.
For extruded snacks and chips made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables or grains, the sodium limit will decrease from 564 milligrams to 470 milligrams per 100 grams.
Processed Cheese Faces Lower Sodium Caps
Processed cheese is covered under a separate compliance schedule.
Spreadable processed cheese will face a sodium limit of 864 milligrams per 100 grams in the first phase, falling to 720 milligrams in the final phase. Other processed cheese will have its limit reduced from 1,200 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams.
The different timelines give businesses varying periods to adjust product formulations, depending on the category.
Businesses Face Deadlines Through 2030
For the first group of products, which includes bread, food establishments must meet the initial limits within nine months of the resolution taking effect. Businesses handling the second group, which includes processed cheese, have up to two years and three months to comply with the first-phase requirements.
All covered products must meet the final limits by December 31, 2030, at the latest.
Products manufactured or imported before the resolution takes effect may remain on sale for up to one year or until their expiry date, whichever comes first. After that period, non-compliant products cannot be traded.
Businesses may also apply for an exception to the first-phase limits if compliance would require reducing an ingredient by more than 20% of its existing level. The provision applies only to products already manufactured, imported or traded in the UAE before the resolution took effect.
Applications must be submitted within 30 days of the resolution taking effect and include technical data, registered nutrition-label information and test results from an accredited laboratory. Applicants must also commit to reducing the relevant ingredient by at least 20% during the first phase.
Such exceptions do not remove the requirement to meet the final limits by the end of 2030.
Violations Could Lead to Fines and Closure
Federal and local health authorities will monitor compliance in coordination with the ministry. Food establishments must provide the information and documents required to verify that their products meet the prescribed standards.
Depending on the seriousness of a violation, the circumstances and whether it is repeated, businesses could receive a warning, face fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh500,000, or have their establishments closed for up to six months, with closure renewable. Authorities may also cancel a business licence or approval.
The Cabinet will issue the list of administrative violations and corresponding penalties on the proposal of the Minister of Health and Prevention.
The phased approach gives food manufacturers and retailers time to reformulate products and adjust their operations, while establishing a deadline for bringing covered packaged foods within the UAE’s new nutritional limits.
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