Starting July 1, 2025, all food outlets in Saudi Arabia — including restaurants, cafés, and delivery services — must comply with new food labelling regulations introduced by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
The updated rules aim to help consumers make healthier, informed choices by requiring clear nutritional information on both physical and digital menus.
Key requirements include:
✅ Saltshaker icon for high-sodium dishes
✅ Caffeine content displayed for all beverages
✅ Calorie burn estimates — showing the physical activity needed to burn off each menu item
The initiative supports national efforts to promote balanced lifestyles and aligns with WHO guidelines that recommend no more than 5 grams of salt and 400 mg of caffeine per day for adults.
For public convenience, SFDA offers a free Caffeine Calculator on its site: SFDA Caffeine Calculator.
Full technical regulations — covering sodium, caffeine, and calorie burn labelling — are available on the “Mwasfah” platform: https://mwasfah.sfda.gov.sa/Home.
The SFDA also encourages both businesses and consumers to contact their helpline (19999) for further guidance.
This new policy supports Saudi Arabia’s broader public health strategy and mirrors trends in neighbouring regions like the UAE, which has already implemented a traffic light system for food labelling.
