The UAE’s new sugar and fat limits will affect packaged bread, dairy products and snacks, with stricter nutrition standards taking effect by 2030.
ABU DHABI: The UAE has introduced new sugar and fat limits alongside sodium restrictions for popular packaged foods, aiming to improve nutritional value and help residents make healthier grocery choices.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has begun implementing the nationwide rules, which cover selected foods manufactured locally or imported into the country.
The regulations introduce gradual reductions in salt, total sugars and fat, with manufacturers required to meet final targets by December 31, 2030.
Which grocery products will have new limits?
The rules cover everyday products including bread, sweetened milk drinks, flavoured yoghurt, laban, salty snacks and processed cheese.
For leavened bread, the final sodium limit will fall to 370 milligrams per 100 grams. Total sugars must not exceed 5 grams, while fat must remain within 7 grams.
Flatbread will face a lower sodium limit of 320 milligrams per 100 grams, alongside the same final sugar and fat caps.
The government aims to improve the nutritional quality of foods that residents regularly buy.
How will milk, yoghurt and laban change?
Sweetened milk drinks, including milk alternatives, must eventually contain no more than 8 grams of total sugars per 100 grams.
For sweetened or flavoured yoghurt and laban, the final limit will reach 10 grams per 100 grams.
These sugar and fat limits form part of a wider strategy to reduce excessive consumption of ingredients linked to unhealthy diets.
What changes will affect chips and salty snacks?
The new rules also target sodium levels in popular savoury products.
By 2030, salted crackers must contain no more than 580 milligrams of sodium per 100 grams.
For salted nuts and seeds, the limit will fall to 280 milligrams, while pretzels must meet a 760-milligram maximum.
Potato, vegetable and grain-based snacks will face a final sodium limit of 470 milligrams per 100 grams.
Processed cheese products will also face stricter sodium requirements.
When will the new UAE food rules take effect?
The government has introduced two compliance phases to give businesses time to adjust their recipes and manufacturing processes.
Companies handling the first group of foods have up to nine months from the resolution’s effective date to meet initial targets.
Businesses producing or handling processed cheese have up to two years and three months.
All affected products must meet their final requirements by December 31, 2030.
What penalties could businesses face?
Companies that violate the regulations could face fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh500,000.
Authorities may also temporarily close establishments or cancel licences for serious violations.
Impact to expect
The new sugar and fat limits could gradually improve the nutritional quality of everyday groceries across the UAE. Shoppers may notice changes in product ingredients and nutrition labels, while manufacturers will need to adjust recipes. Healthier food formulations could support the country’s long-term efforts to reduce obesity and diet-related diseases.
