UAE Caps Sodium, Sugar and Fat in Packaged Foods with Fines Up to Dh500,000 Under Phased Health Push

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention began implementing caps on sodium, sugar and fat in selected packaged foods on October 6, 2026, with violators facing fines between Dh5,000 and Dh500,000, temporary closure for up to six months, or licence cancellation, according to Gulf News, Khaleej Times and The National. The resolution applies to locally manufactured and imported products, including those handled by free-zone companies, and sets two-phase limits measured per 100 grams. For leavened bread, phase one caps sodium at 444 milligrams, total sugars at 6 grams and total fat at 8.4 grams, dropping to 370mg, 5g and 7g in the final phase by December 31, 2030. Sweetened milk drinks must fall from 9.6g to 8g of total sugars, while salted crackers move from 696mg to 580mg of sodium. Food businesses handling the first product group have nine months to meet initial limits; those handling processed cheese have two years and three months. Products made or imported solely for export are excluded unless traded within the UAE, and businesses may apply for exceptions if compliance requires reducing a targeted ingredient by more than 20 percent, provided they commit to at least a 20 percent reduction in phase one.

Food manufacturers, importers and free-zone companies selling packaged foods in the UAE face penalties steep enough to force product withdrawals or market exits if they fail to meet the new limits. The timeline creates uncertainty for smaller businesses and importers operating on thin margins, particularly those sourcing from suppliers unwilling to create UAE-specific formulations.

Sources

Gulf News, "UAE sets up to Dh500,000 fine for food exceeding salt, sugar limits," October 6, 2026, gulfnews.com Khaleej Times, "UAE sets new sodium, sugar and fat limits; violators face fines up to Dh500,000," October 7, 2026, khaleejtimes.com The National, "UAE introduces new salt, sugar and fat limits with penalties of up to Dh500,000," October 6, 2026, thenationalnews.com Arabian Business, "UAE sets new sugar, salt and fat limits for food with fines up to $136,000," October 6, 2026, arabianbusiness.com Dubai Eye 103.8, "UAE begins implementing limits on salt, sugar and fat in food items," October 6, 2026, dubaieye1038.com