UAE survey finds 96% consume too much sodium as new food rules take effect
Dubai: More than 96 per cent of adults surveyed in the UAE consume more sodium than recommended, while more than one in five adults are living with obesity, according to national health figures that have prompted new restrictions on salt, sugar and fat in packaged foods. The findings have led to a significant push to improve diets and tackle obesity, with measures introduced this year targeting…
New dietary regulations in the UAE have found that more than 96% of adults exceed recommended sodium intake, while one in five adults are obese. The National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024-2025 conducted by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, in collaboration with other authorities, revealed that 96.2% of people aged 18-69 consumed too much sodium, 27.3% consumed too much sugar, and 27.4% drank sugar-sweetened beverages daily.
Obesity affected 22.4% of adults, compared to 16.1% of children aged six to 17 and 2.2% of younger children. In response, the ministry has implemented new limits on sodium, sugar, and fat content in selected packaged foods, such as bread, milk drinks, yogurt, and snacks, with the final restrictions due by December 31, 2030. In schools, the Ministry of Health and Prevention launched the School Canteen Lab initiative to encourage healthier eating habits among children.
Additionally, an expansion of personal weight management programs in Abu Dhabi aims to detect obesity earlier and improve access to tailored care, which could add $51 billion to the UAE's economy by 2031.
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