The United Arab Emirates has begun enforcing new limits on how much salt, sugar and fat can go into everyday packaged foods, in one of the Gulf's most ambitious attempts yet to tackle obesity and lifestyle diseases. The rules, rolled out by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), cover popular items such as bread, chips, salted nuts, flavoured milk, yoghurt and processed cheese.
Companies that break the rules face penalties ranging from a warning to fines of up to Dh500,000, and even closure. For the large Indian community living in the UAE – and for Indian food companies that export there – the change is worth paying attention to.
What the new UAE rules say
The resolution sets up what the ministry calls a national framework to gradually reduce sodium, processed sugar and fat in selected foods. It applies to packaged products made locally and those imported into the country, including items handled by companies in free zones. Products made only for export are exempt unless they are sold inside the UAE.
The limits are being introduced in two phases. A first set of caps kicks in soon, and stricter final limits must be met by December 31, 2030.
Product-wise limits (per 100g)
| Product | Nutrient | First phase | Final limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leavened bread | Sodium | 444 mg | 370 mg |
| Flat bread | Sodium | 384 mg | 320 mg |
| Bread (both types) | Sugars / Fat | 6 g / 8.4 g | 5 g / 7 g |
| Sweetened milk drinks | Sugar | 9.6 g | 8 g |
| Flavoured yoghurt and laban | Sugar | 12 g | 10 g |
| Salted crackers | Sodium | 696 mg | 580 mg |
| Salted nuts and seeds | Sodium | 336 mg | 280 mg |
| Pretzels | Sodium | 912 mg | 760 mg |
| Chips and extruded snacks | Sodium | 564 mg | 470 mg |
| Spreadable processed cheese | Sodium | 864 mg | 720 mg |
| Other processed cheese | Sodium | 1,200 mg | 1,000 mg |
Deadlines and exceptions
- Bread, milk drinks, yoghurt and snacks: up to nine months to meet the first-phase limits.
- Processed cheese: up to two years and three months for the first-phase limits.
- Existing stock: products made or imported before the rules took effect can stay on shelves for up to a year or until expiry, whichever comes first.
- Exceptions: a company can ask for more time on first-phase limits if meeting them would mean cutting an ingredient by more than 20%. Even then, it must commit to at least a 20% reduction, and the 2030 deadline cannot be extended.
Penalties for violators
Depending on how serious the violation is and whether it is repeated, businesses can face a warning, fines between Dh5,000 and Dh500,000, closure for up to six months (which can be renewed), or cancellation of their licence. Federal and local health authorities will monitor compliance with the ministry.
Why the UAE is doing this
Like many countries, the UAE is facing rising rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Health experts have long pointed to hidden salt and sugar in packaged foods as a major driver. A national survey earlier this year flagged high salt intake in local diets, with reports suggesting the overwhelming majority of residents exceed recommended daily sodium levels.
Reformulation – quietly reducing salt and sugar in products people already eat – is considered one of the most effective public health tools, because it does not depend on every individual changing their habits.
What it means for Indians
For Indians living in the UAE: Over time, everyday items like bread, khubz, chips and flavoured yoghurt on supermarket shelves will become a little less salty and sweet. The change will be gradual, so most shoppers may barely notice.
For Indian exporters: The UAE is one of India's largest markets for processed foods and snacks. Brands selling namkeen, biscuits, bakery products and dairy items into the Emirates will need to check their recipes against the new caps and plan reformulation within the deadlines.
For India's own debate: The move adds to the global conversation on front-of-pack labels and salt-sugar limits – an area where India's food regulator FSSAI has been discussing tighter rules for years. Public health advocates are likely to point to the UAE model as an example.
What happens next
Food companies now have a short window to adjust recipes for the first phase, with stricter targets to follow by the end of 2030. Expect product relaunches with "reduced salt" or "less sugar" labels in UAE stores over the coming months.
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