SFDA Restaurant Calories Law for Menus: Everything You Need to Know to Be Compliant.

FDA Compliance Regulations for Calorie Counts on Menus: Becoming Compliant

In an effort to educate the population on the high caloric content in restaurant meals, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority issued a new requirement for all food establishments. This change called for restaurants to the calorie information of all food items displayed on their menus. As a result, earning FDA compliance requires some changes. 

This mandatory menu-labeling initiative is housed under a greater effort called the Saudi 2030 Vision. This endeavor hopes to improve the quality of life of the people of Saudi Arabia through nutrition education. In addition, it hopes to encourage the population’s participation in recreational events by developing new arenas, recreation facilities and venues over the next decade. The 2030 Vision refers to this effort as the “Quality of Life” effort. This effort hopes to respond to the rising obesity rates in Saudi Arabia.

Compliance

According to the SFDA , fast food restaurants, patisseries, and other food establishments must list the calorie counts on their menu items. The SFDA called for mandatory compliance with as of December 31, 2018. This change offered challenges for many restauranteurs. However, with the use of a nutrition analysis software program or food laboratory, restaurant owners had hope. Luckily, with those resources, determining the caloric values and nutritional value of their food offerings came easily.

This movement aims to educate the people of Saudi Arabia about the high number of calories as well as nutrient values (such as trans fats) in fast food. Bringing awareness to the daily calorie intake of an individual potentially improves the consumers’ overall health. With 70% of the Saudi Arabia population being overweight or obese, this initiative by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority is of utmost importance and will only be gaining momentum and becoming more detailed in the upcoming decade as the KSA 2030 Vision is accomplished. 

Overall Objective

This is a multifaceted approach on behalf of the SFDA as well as the the KSA government to monitor the calorie information and nutritional value of meals and inadvertently encourage cafe owners and food facilities to be mindful of the nutrient counts of their food items. In turn, by default, a trickle-effect can occur by more healthful offerings being provided on restaurant menus. As a result, consumers’ health can improve by the reduced calorie intake by means of fast food and restaurant food product offerings. 

Need to become SFDA Compliant? Please contact MenuCalc for all of your menu-labeling needs with this new SFDA regulation.