Saudi Arabia enforces new menu rules to flag salt, caffeine and calorie burn

Dubai: Restaurants and cafes across Saudi Arabia are now required to display detailed nutritional information on their menus under a new directive from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) that came into effect on July 1.

The regulation, which applies to both physical and digital menus — including food delivery apps — is aimed at helping consumers make more informed dietary choices and addressing rising public health concerns such as hypertension and obesity.

Under the updated technical regulations, food outlets must now:

“These measures are designed to help people monitor their intake of salt, sugar, and caffeine in line with global health recommendations,” the SFDA said in a statement.

The initiative reflects a growing focus on lifestyle-related health issues in the Kingdom, where non-communicable diseases like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes are on the rise. By promoting transparency and nutritional literacy, the SFDA hopes to support the government’s broader public health goals under Vision 2030.

According to the World Health Organization, adults should limit their daily sodium intake to 5 grams (about one teaspoon), while safe caffeine consumption is capped at 400 mg per day for most adults and 200 mg for pregnant women.

To help both businesses and individuals comply with the new rules, the SFDA has launched several digital tools, including an online Caffeine Calculator that lets users estimate their daily intake based on age and lifestyle.

A complete guide to the new technical standards is also available through the SFDA’s “Mwasfah” portal, which outlines all requirements related to sodium labeling, caffeine disclosure, and calorie burn estimates.

The SFDA says the move is part of its ongoing efforts to encourage healthier eating habits and reduce the burden of diet-related illnesses. It also urged restaurants and food providers to ensure full compliance to avoid penalties.