UAE Imposes New Caps on Salt, Sugar, and Fat in Packaged Foods to Combat Lifestyle Diseases

The UAE’s new limits on salt, sugar, and fat in packaged foods represent an important shift towards changing the food environment itself, rather than placing the responsibility for healthier eating entirely on consumers, health experts have said. Approved on Tuesday, the new rules place caps on levels of sodium, sugar, and fat in packaged foods, whether locally manufactured or imported. The regulations are to be implemented in phases, with the final limits taking effect by December 31, 2030, as part of a wider effort to tackle obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other lifestyle-related conditions.

Dr Ahmed Al Khazraji, Executive Director of Healthy Living at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, noted that the Cabinet resolution is a major milestone for public health. He explained that focusing on commonly consumed products and introducing changes progressively through 2030 will improve their nutritional profile while giving manufacturers time to reformulate responsibly. The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention worked collaboratively to advance the food reformulation agenda.

This initiative builds on years of public health measures, including excise taxes introduced in 2017 on tobacco, energy drinks, and fizzy drinks, later expanded to e-cigarettes and sugar-sweetened beverages. Abu Dhabi has also rolled out parallel measures under its Healthy Living Strategy, such as display restrictions for unhealthy foods in supermarkets, stricter advertising controls, and upgraded nutrition standards in schools, hotels, and restaurants.

Medical professionals emphasize that reducing excessive ingredients in everyday foods will help support healthier dietary patterns over time. Dr Safa Hegazin of the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and clinical dietitian Heenana Mustaheena of LLH Hospital, Mussaffah, highlighted that many people consume more salt, sugar, and fat than they realize through packaged foods, making nutrition label awareness crucial. Dr Leila Kay Karimpoor of Burjeel Medical City added that the policy effectively addresses population-wide exposure rather than relying solely on individual behavior.

Food manufacturers are already adapting to the health drive. Al Ain Farms Group reported reducing added sugar across various juices, flavoured milk, flavoured yoghurt, and laban products. Mohamad Ziad Al Najjar of United Foods Company and Berta Zammar of Arla both expressed readiness and alignment with the new standards, emphasizing a continued commitment to consumer health and quality.

Globally, similar restrictions and warning systems are active in various European nations, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay, Canada, Singapore, and India, demonstrating a widespread international movement toward healthier food environments.