The UAE is introducing phased limits on salt, sugar and fat in selected packaged foods, with final targets due by 31 December 2030.

The details

The UAE is introducing maximum levels for salt, sugar and fat in selected packaged foods, whether manufactured locally or imported. The first phase covers products including bread, sweetened milk drinks, flavoured yoghurt and laban, salty snacks and processed cheese.

The limits will be introduced in phases, with final targets due by 31 December 2030. Companies that fail to comply may face warnings, fines of up to Dh500,000, temporary closure for up to six months or cancellation of a licence. Products already manufactured or placed on the UAE market before the requirements take effect may remain on sale for up to one year or until expiry, whichever comes first.

The measure is both a food-market change and a public-health intervention. Residents may see reformulated products and should continue checking nutrition labels, because meeting a regulatory maximum does not automatically make a product healthy and portion size still matters.