Food manufacturers must meet new caps on sodium, sugar and fat by end of 2030

The Ministry of Health and Prevention has introduced mandatory limits on sodium, sugar and fat in packaged foods including bread, flavoured yoghurt, laban, processed cheese and chips. The final limits will apply from December 31, 2030, with phased compliance deadlines for different product categories. Companies making bread have nine months from the resolution's effective date to meet first-stage limits. Processed cheese makers get two years and three months. Leavened bread sodium caps fall from 444mg to 370mg per 100g, with sugar dropping from 6g to 5g per 100g. Sweetened or flavoured yoghurt and laban will be capped at 10g of total sugars per 100g. Sodium in chips falls from 564mg to 470mg per 100g. Businesses that violate the rules face fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh500,000. Major UAE food producers including iD Fresh Food and Al Ain Farms say they can meet the new standards, though some warn of higher production costs in the short to medium term due to R&D testing, vendor compliance audits, and accredited laboratory testing.