Regulatory Insights & Updates for MENA Markets
Stay informed with the latest regulatory developments, expert analysis, and strategic guidance for FMCG companies operating across Middle East & North Africa.
Featured Insight
SFDA Announces Adoption of New Food and Feed Standards
The Saudi Food & Drug Authority has adopted new technical regulations and amendments for food and feed under Board Decision No. (50/4) dated 08/06/2026, covering e-commerce food products, children's meals, frozen coffee, infant formula and FSMP, plant-based alternatives, food additives, heavy metals, and a further set of GCC food standards. Enforcement dates run from 1 February 2027 to 1 July 2028.
Oman to Reject Halal Certificates from Non-FSQC-Designated Bodies from 1 July 2027
Oman's Food Safety and Quality Center (FSQC) has announced that, from 1 July 2027, Halal Certificates accompanying imported food consignments will not be accepted if issued by a Halal Certification Body that has not been designated by the Center. Importers must verify their certification bodies' designation status before contracting.
Jordan Prohibits Specified Smoke-Flavouring Primary Products
Jordan's Food and Drug Administration has prohibited the import and use of eight specified smoke-flavouring primary products, cancelled existing import approvals, and set transition deadlines of 31 December 2026 for general foods and 31 December 2029 for specified cheese, meat and fish products.
Qatar MOPH Issues Updated Guide on Health and Nutrition Claims for Food Products
Qatar's Ministry of Public Health has issued Edition V2/2026 of its Guide of the Requirements for Health and Nutrition Claims on Food Products, clarifying which health and nutrition claims are acceptable, listing commonly prohibited claims by product category, and setting new compositional thresholds for nutrient claims, probiotics, prebiotics, DETOX and organic labelling.
SFDA Announces Adoption of New Food and Feed Standards
The Saudi Food & Drug Authority has adopted new technical regulations and amendments for food and feed under Board Decision No. (50/4) dated 08/06/2026, covering e-commerce food products, children's meals, frozen coffee, infant formula and FSMP, plant-based alternatives, food additives, heavy metals, and a further set of GCC food standards. Enforcement dates run from 1 February 2027 to 1 July 2028.
Jordan Updates Key Food Standards
Jordan has approved new Jordanian standards covering food additives labelling, retail labelling of prepackaged foods, infant nutrition (including shelf life) and selected food commodities. Published in Official Gazette No. 6056, the updated standards become mandatory from 11 August 2026.
Oman Introduces Licensing for Specialized Food Categories
Oman's Food Safety & Quality Center (FSQC), under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, will open licensing applications for food supplements, infant formula and follow-on formula, foods for infants and young children, and foods for special medical purposes (FSMPs) — effective 2 August 2026.
Kuwait Ministry of Health Issues Resolution No. 351/2025 Regulating Energy Drink Circulation
Kuwait's Ministry of Health has announced Ministerial Resolution No. 351/2025, introducing comprehensive regulations governing energy drink circulation, sale, and consumption, including age restrictions, caffeine limits, and strict advertising bans.
Saudi Arabia Implements New Sugar-Based Customs Classification for Food and Beverages
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Finance and ZATCA have issued Decision No. 5-88-1447, introducing detailed sugar content classifications for many HS codes of food and beverage products under four main tiers, effective January 1, 2026.
New Compliance Deadlines for Cream & Cheese in Egypt
Egypt's Ministry of Industry has issued Ministerial Decision No. 248/2025, granting producers and importers of cream and cheeses a six-month compliance period ending February 2026. Key standards include cream (154_2), soft cheese Qareish (1008_4), and general cheese (8390).
Qatar Adopts Unified Shelf Life Regulation QS 10050:2025
Qatar's Ministry of Commerce and Industry has officially adopted QS 10050:2025, a new unified technical regulation combining GSO 150-1:2013 and GSO 150-2:2013. This regulation completely replaces previous technical lists QS GSO 150-1:2013/Amd1/Amd2:2023 and QS GSO 150-2:2013/Amd1:2024.
Egypt Proposes Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax to Promote Healthier Lifestyles
Egypt's Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, proposes a tiered tax on sugar-sweetened beverages aligned with WHO recommendations. The initiative aims to discourage excessive sugar consumption, encourage healthier choices, and support national health programs through sustainable funding.
New Amendment to Saudi Arabia's Rules of Origin Verification
ZATCA Governor issues Decision No. (1447-99-303) introducing significant amendments to national Rules of Origin, allowing Certificate of Origin, Localization Certificate, and Supporting invoices as sufficient documentation under mutual agreement between competent authorities.
Saudi FDA Issues Comprehensive Food Transportation Guidelines
Saudi FDA has released Circular FS-CIR-004-V1/250515 establishing strict requirements for food transportation vehicles, facility licensing, temperature controls, and proper identification to ensure food safety throughout the supply chain.
SFDA Draft Regulation: Maximum Shelf Life Requirements at Entry Points
Saudi Arabia's SFDA has released draft regulations mandating maximum elapsed shelf life for certain food products upon arrival - frozen meat/poultry limited to 4 months from slaughter, chilled fish within 48 hours of catch, and infant formula not exceeding half of labeled shelf life.
Bahrain Adopts 30 Gulf Technical Regulations for Food Sector
Bahrain has adopted 30 comprehensive Gulf Technical Regulations covering everything from infant food and wheat flour to coffee and dairy products, with implementation effective six months from April 2025. Key regulations include GSO 355 for older infants and young children food and GSO 2128 for sweetened condensed milk analogue.
Qatar Announces 195 New Food & Beverage Technical Regulations
Qatar has announced 195 comprehensive new technical regulations covering the entire food and beverage spectrum - from labeling and infant formula to cheese varieties, meat products, and storage requirements. These regulations ensure the highest standards of quality and safety across all food categories.
Egypt Revises Import Regulations: Milk & Dairy Products Exempt from Halal Certification
Egypt's General Organization for Veterinary Services has announced significant changes to import requirements for milk and dairy products, effective March 12, 2025. The new regulation excludes these products from Halal certification requirements to streamline import processes and facilitate easier market access.
Global Impact: How US Front-of-Package Labeling Could Influence MENA Markets
Analysis of how the FDA's proposed front-of-package labeling system could set global precedents and influence regulatory developments across MENA countries, with implications for international FMCG companies.
Sugar Tax Implementation Strategies for FMCG Companies
Strategic guidance on adapting product portfolios and formulations in response to the UAE's new tiered sugar tax system, including reformulation considerations and market positioning strategies.
EU Commission Upholds 'Probiotics' as Health Claim Under Food Legislation
The European Commission has confirmed its position that the term 'probiotics' constitutes a health claim requiring EFSA scientific assessment. Following a thorough Ombudsman inquiry, the decision reinforces consumer protection goals and the need for scientific evidence to substantiate health claims on food products.
MENA Regulatory Timeline: Key Deadlines for Q1 2025
Comprehensive overview of critical regulatory deadlines across MENA markets for the first quarter of 2025, including Saudi Arabia's shelf life regulation comment period and UAE sugar tax implementation preparations.
FDA Proposes Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling for Packaged Foods
The US FDA has proposed mandatory front-of-package nutrition labels featuring standardized boxes with key nutrients (calories, saturated fat, sodium, added sugars) using interpretive terms like 'High,' 'Medium,' or 'Low' to help consumers make healthier choices.
Comparative Analysis: Shelf Life Regulations Across GCC Countries
In-depth comparison of shelf life requirements and import restrictions across GCC member states, examining how Saudi Arabia's new draft regulation aligns with regional standards and best practices.