UAE introduces phased limits on sugar, salt, and fat in packaged foods to combat health crisis

The United Arab Emirates has launched a comprehensive, phased crackdown on sodium, sugar, and fat levels in packaged foods, aiming to curb obesity and non-communicable diseases amid high consumption rates among residents.

The United Arab Emirates has started rolling out new national limits on sodium, sugar and fat in selected packaged foods, a move the Ministry of Health and Prevention says is aimed at improving diets and curbing obesity and other non-communicable diseases. The rules apply to packaged products made in the UAE or brought in from abroad, including goods handled by firms in free zones, and they cover food businesses at every stage from manufacture and packaging to storage, transport, display and sale.

The policy is being introduced in phases, with different deadlines for different product groups and a final compliance date of 31 December 2030. For bread products, the first phase limits leavened bread to 444 milligrammes of sodium, 6 grammes of total sugars and 8.4 grammes of total fat per 100 grammes, before tighter caps of 370 milligrammes, 5 grammes and 7 grammes take effect. Flat bread faces similar step-downs, while sweetened milk drinks, including milk alternatives, and flavoured yoghurt and laban are also subject to lower sugar thresholds.

Salty snacks are among the other products targeted. According to the ministry’s figures, sodium limits will be reduced for salted crackers, salted nuts and seeds, pretzels, and extruded snacks and chips made from potatoes, vegetables, sweet potatoes or grains. Processed cheese is in a separate category, with spreadable cheese and other processed cheese also facing lower sodium ceilings over time. Businesses dealing with bread products have up to nine months to meet the first-stage limits, while companies handling processed cheese have up to two years and three months.

The rules also allow some older stock to remain on sale for up to a year, or until it reaches its expiry date, whichever comes first. In limited cases, businesses may seek an exception from the first-stage limits if meeting them would require cutting a targeted ingredient by more than 20% of its current level, but they must apply within 30 days and submit technical evidence. Enforcement will be carried out by federal and local health authorities, and violations can bring warnings, fines ranging from AED5,000 to AED500,000, temporary closure for up to six months or licence cancellation.

Health officials have said the move forms part of a wider nutrition push under the UAE’s long-term public-health plans. Gulf News reported that a recent national survey found 96.2% of residents consume more sodium than recommended, underscoring the scale of the challenge the government is trying to address through reformulation rather than taxation.