In order to improve food transparency and enable customers to make knowledgeable dietary decisions when dining out, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has issued new technical standards. The rules will come into force on July 1st, 2025.
Both physical and online food companies are required to provide comprehensive nutritional information on all menus under the new regulations. Among the essential requirements are a new "saltshaker" label for foods high in sodium, clear disclosures of caffeine content for drinks, and a display of the approximate amount of time spent exercising to burn off the calories in a dish. These rules also apply to online food ordering services.
The SFDA claims that the program aims to increase consumer awareness of dietary practices, encourage the consumption of healthier food options, and assist consumers in controlling their intake of caffeine and salt in compliance with international health guidelines.
The SFDA has provided materials to promote public knowledge and compliance. The SFDA website has a "Caffeine Calculator" that consumers and food outlets can use to track their intake levels.
The SFDA's "Mwasfah" platform offers the complete technical regulations, which cover calorie burn indications, caffeine disclosures, and high-salt meal labeling. The SFDA's unified hotline number is 19999; call it for more information.
