Saudi Arabia enforces new food menu labelling rules: Salt, caffeine and calorie burn details now mandatory

In a major step to promote healthier eating habits, Saudi Arabia has introduced sweeping new regulations that require all restaurants, cafés, and food delivery platforms to provide detailed nutritional information on their menus. Effective from July 1, the new mandate comes as part of the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 public health agenda, overseen by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).

What diners will now see on menus

Under the new rules, food service providers across the Kingdom must:

• Add a saltshaker icon next to dishes high in sodium
• Specify the caffeine content of every beverage offered
• Indicate the estimated physical activity time needed to burn the calories in each menu item

The SFDA stated these measures aim to empower consumers to make better-informed choices and reduce their intake of salt, sugar, and caffeine — key factors contributing to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in Saudi Arabia.

A response to health challenges and global best practices

Saudi Arabia, like many countries, faces increasing health concerns linked to poor diet. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting daily sodium intake to no more than 5 grams (about one teaspoon) and capping caffeine consumption at 400mg per day for most adults, with lower limits for pregnant women.

By making such data more visible, authorities hope to improve nutritional literacy and encourage healthier lifestyle choices among residents and visitors alike.

Digital tools and enforcement

To help businesses meet the new standards, the SFDA has launched several supportive tools, including:

An online Caffeine Calculator allowing users to track their daily intake by age and lifestyle

The Mwasfah portal, which offers detailed guidelines covering:

• How to label sodium-rich items

• Rules for caffeine disclosure

• Formats for displaying calorie burn estimates

Food outlets that fail to comply risk penalties, as the SFDA aims to ensure full adoption across both dine-in and delivery platforms.

Part of a bigger health vision

The SFDA emphasised that this move is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s goal to reduce the national burden of diet-related diseases by enabling people to make choices based on clear and transparent information.

As dining culture continues to evolve, the Kingdom’s proactive focus on menu transparency is expected to set a regional benchmark for responsible food service.