Restaurants and cafés in Saudi Arabia must now display detailed nutritional information on menus, following a new Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) directive effective from 1 July 2025.
Gulf News reports that this requirement covers both physical and online menus, including those on food delivery platforms.
The goal is to enable customers to make better-informed food choices in response to growing health issues such as obesity and high blood pressure.
Under the revised technical standards, establishments must mark high-sodium dishes with a saltshaker symbol.
They are also required to list caffeine levels in drinks and provide the approximate time needed to expend the calories in each menu item.
These steps all aim to increase clarity for consumers.
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By GlobalDataThe policy supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts to address lifestyle-driven health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
The SFDA seeks to advance the nation’s Vision 2030 public health objectives. Enhancing nutritional awareness is a central focus of these regulations.
To facilitate adherence, the SFDA has rolled out digital resources, such as an online caffeine calculator tool.
This allows individuals to gauge their daily caffeine consumption based on age and lifestyle factors.
Detailed guidelines on sodium labelling, caffeine disclosure and calorie expenditure are accessible via the SFDA’s “Mwasfah” platform.
The SFDA intends these measures to promote healthier dietary practices and curb diet-related diseases. It has called on food outlets to fully comply to avoid sanctions.
The authority will continue to oversee compliance with these new standards.
The SFDA stated: “These measures are designed to help people monitor their intake of salt, sugar and caffeine in line with global health recommendations.”
