Saudi Arabia Enforces New Menu Rules for Restaurants
As of July 1, restaurants and cafes across Saudi Arabia are required to display detailed nutritional information on their menus, following a new directive from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
This regulation applies to both physical and digital menus, including food delivery apps.
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Key Features of the New Regulations
The updated technical regulations mandate that food outlets must:
- Label High-Sodium Meals: Use a visible saltshaker icon to indicate meals high in sodium.
- Disclose Caffeine Content: Clearly indicate the caffeine content in beverages.
- Indicate Caloric Burn Time: Provide an estimate of the time required to burn off the calories in each food or drink item.
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Purpose of the Regulation
The SFDA aims to help consumers make informed dietary choices and address rising public health concerns such as hypertension and obesity.
“These measures are designed to help people monitor their intake of salt, sugar, and caffeine in line with global health recommendations,” stated the SFDA.
Health Context
This initiative aligns with a growing focus on lifestyle-related health issues in the Kingdom, where non-communicable diseases like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes are increasingly prevalent.
The World Health Organization recommends that adults limit their daily sodium intake to 5 grams (about one teaspoon) and cap caffeine consumption at 400 mg per day for most adults, and 200 mg for pregnant women.
Support for Compliance
To assist both businesses and individuals in complying with the new rules, the SFDA has launched several digital tools, including:
- An online Caffeine Calculator that estimates daily intake based on age and lifestyle.
- A complete guide available through the SFDA’s “Mwasfah” portal, outlining all requirements related to sodium labeling, caffeine disclosure, and calorie burn estimates.
Encouragement of Healthy Habits
The SFDA emphasizes that this move is part of its ongoing efforts to promote healthier eating habits and reduce the burden of diet-related illnesses.
Restaurants and food providers are urged to ensure full compliance to avoid penalties, thereby supporting the government’s broader public health goals under Vision 2030.
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