The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has introduced a new regulation – 

– that requires food establishments to list the caffeine content of their beverages. This move is all about empowering consumers with information, helping them make healthier choices about how much caffeine they’re consuming. For restaurants, this means making sure their menus accurately reflect the caffeine content of each drink. Whether it's a latte or cappuccino, this is all part of the growing trend of food labeling transparency. Imagine being able to see exactly how much caffeine is in that morning 

cappuccino (around 75 mg), or your favorite latte (about 70 mg) 

Getting this right on your menu is not only important for staying compliant but also for keeping your customers happy and healthy.

Understanding Caffeine Consumption in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, caffeine consumption is relatively high, with an average intake of 

This comes mainly from coffee and traditional drinks like Arabic coffee (gahwa). To put that into perspective, 194 mg of caffeine is about the same as drinking 2 cups of black coffee (240 ml each), or having 5 small cups of gahwa (30 ml each). Or if you prefer cappuccinos, that’s roughly 2.5 cups (150 ml each). While Saudi caffeine intake is below the recommended daily limit of 400 mg, the rise in coffee culture, especially gahwa, means it’s important to be mindful of how much you’re consuming from all sources.

For context, here’s how Saudi Arabia compares to other countries:

 People consume around 200-300 mg/day, mostly from coffee.

 On average, 130-150 mg/day, with tea being the main source.

 Averages 400 mg/day, one of the highest in the world, mostly from coffee.

So while Saudi Arabia’s caffeine intake is significant, it’s not among the highest globally. However, given the country’s strong coffee culture, it remains a key part of daily life.

Now, why does accurate caffeine labeling matter? Well, too much caffeine can lead to issues like insomnia, anxiety, and an increased heart rate – all things no one wants to deal with. Providing clear and accurate caffeine content helps customers make better decisions based on their health needs. Especially in Saudi Arabia, where gahwa and other caffeinated drinks are enjoyed daily, being able to track caffeine intake can prevent overconsumption. With the new food labeling regulations, restaurants are helping customers stay informed, which is a win-win for both sides.

Here’s where NutriCal comes in. We know keeping track of caffeine content for every drink on your menu can be a challenge, but NutriCal makes it easy. Our software takes the guesswork out of it. Just input your beverage ingredients, and NutriCal will give you the exact caffeine content. It’s that simple! This way, you can be sure your menu is up to date and in full compliance with the new SFDA regulations, leaving you more time to focus on what you do best – running your business.

If you’re wondering how to get ready for the new SFDA caffeine content rules, 

 is here to help. Not only will we make sure your food labeling is accurate, but we’ll also take the stress out of keeping up with regulations. With NutriCal, you’ll always have the tools you need to stay compliant, provide clear nutritional information, and focus on giving your customers a great experience. Ready to get started? 

قانون الجديد الخاص بالكافيين الذي أصدرته الهيئة العامة للغذاء والدواء

أصدرت الهيئة العامة للغذاء والدواء السعودية لائحة جديدة تحث المؤسسات الغذائية على عرض محتوى الكافيين في مشروباتها. تهدف هذه الخطوة إلى تزويد المستهلكين بالمعلومات الضرورية، ومساعدتهم على اتخاذ خيارات صحية بشأن كمية الكافيين التي يستهلكونها. بالنسبة للمطاعم، هذا يعني التأكد من عرض محتوى الكافيين في كل مشروب موجود على قوائم المشروبات. سواء كان الأمر يتعلق باللاتيه أو الكابتشينو، فهذا كله جزء من الاتجاه المتزايد نحو شفافية الملصقات الغذائية. تخيل أن باستطاعتك معرفة مقدار الكافيين الموجود في الكابتشينو الصباحي (حوالي 75 ملجم)، أو اللاتيه المفضل لديك (حوالي 70 ملجم) - وهو أمر مفيد جدًا، أليس كذلك؟ إن إظهار هذا الأمر بشكلٍ صحيح في قائمة المشروبات الخاصة بك ليس مهمًا فقط للبقاء ملتزمًا ولكن أيضًا للحفاظ على سعادة عملائك وصحتهم.

 استهلاك الكافيين في السعودية

في السعودية، استهلاك الكافيين يعتبر مرتفع نسبيًا، حيث يبلغ متوسط الاستهلاك 194 ملغ يوميًا، ويأتي أغلبه من القهوة والمشروبات التقليدية مثل القهوة العربية . 194 ملغ من الكافيين تعادل تقريبًا كوبين من القهوة السوداء (240 مل لكل كوب)، أو 5 فناجين صغيرة من القهوة العربية (30 مل لكل فنجان). ولو كنت تفضل الكابتشينو، فهذي الكمية تساوي تقريبًا 2.5 كوب (150 مل لكل واحد). ورغم أن معدل استهلاك الكافيين في السعودية أقل من الحد الموصى به يوميًا وهو 400 ملغ، إلا أن انتشار ثقافة القهوة، خاصة القهوة العربية، يحتم الانتباه لكمية الكافيين اللي نستهلكها يوميًا من مصادر مختلفة.

كيف يقارن استهلاك الكافيين في السعودية بدول أخرى؟

للمقارنة، إليك كيف يختلف استهلاك الكافيين بين بعض الدول:

 أمريكا: متوسط الاستهلاك يتراوح بين 200-300 ملغ يوميًا، ومعظمه من القهوة.

بريطانيا: يستهلك الناس حوالي 130-150 ملغ يوميًا، والشاي هو المصدر الأساسي                                                           

فنلندا: من أعلى معدلات الاستهلاك في العالم، حيث يصل إلى 400 ملغ يوميًا، أغلبه من القهوة. 

رغم أن استهلاك الكافيين في السعودية يعتبر مرتفعاً، إلا أنه ليس الأعلى عالمياً. ومع ذلك، نظراً لثقافة قوية للقهوة، وخاصة القهْوة العربية، يبقى الكافيين جزءاً أساسياً من الحياة اليومية.

لماذا يُعد توضيح كمية الكافيين في المشروبات أمرًا مهمًا؟

في السعودية، القهوة جزء من الثقافة اليومية، سواء كانت القهوة العربية أو القهوة المختصة. ومع ذلك، فإن الاستهلاك الزائد للكافيين قد يؤدي إلى مشاكل صحية مثل الأرق، القلق، وزيادة ضربات القلب، مما يجعل معرفة كمية الكافيين في المشروبات أمرًا ضروريًا للحفاظ على توازن صحي.

مع التنظيم الجديد من هيئة الغذاء والدواء السعودية (SFDA)، ضروري للمطاعم توضيح محتوى الكافيين في قوائمها. هذا لا يساعد فقط العملاء على اتخاذ قرارات مستنيرة بناءً على احتياجاتهم الصحية، ولكنه أيضًا يعزز الشفافية والثقة بين المطاعم والمستهلكين. الامتثال لهذه اللوائح لا يحمي صحة المستهلك فقط، بل يساهم أيضًا في رفع معايير قطاع الأغذية والمشروبات في المملكة.

كيف تساعد نيوتريكال في ضمان الامتثال لتلك الوائح؟

هنا يأتي دور نيوتريكال ! نعلم أن تتبع محتوى الكافيين لكل مشروب في قائمتك قد يكون تحديًا، لكن نيوتريكال تجعل الأمر في غاية السهولة.

ما عليك سوى إدخال مكونات مشروباتك في البرنامج، وسيقوم عندها بحساب كمية الكافيين بدقة – بدون تخمين أو تقديرات غير دقيقة. بهذه الطريقة، يمكنك التأكد من أن قائمتك محدثة ومتوافقة تمامًا مع لوائح هيئة الغذاء والدواء السعودية (SFDA).

استعد للامتثال للوائح SFDA مع نيوتريكال

إذا كنت تتساءل عن كيفية الاستعداد لقواعد محتوى الكافيين الجديدة من SFDA، فلا تقلق –

لن نضمن فقط أن يكون تصنيفك الغذائي دقيقًا، بل سنجعل عملية الامتثال سهلة ودقيقة. مع نيوتريكال، سيكون لديك الأدوات التي تحتاجها الالتزام باللوائح، وتقديم معلومات غذائية واضحة، والتركيز على تقديم أفضل تجربة لعملائك.

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Discover what the SFDA’s new caffeine content regulation means for restaurants in Saudi Arabia. Learn why accurate caffeine labeling matters and how NutriCal can help you stay compliant effortlessly.

Saudi Arabia now requires restaurants to list caffeine content on menus. This blog explains the regulation and how NutriCal helps ensure easy, accurate compliance.


SFDA’s New Caffeine Content Regulation: What It Means for Restaurants in Saudi Arabia

, a trusted name in Saudi Arabia since 1989, is home to over 1,500

employees and many popular brands, including Pasta., Lorenzo Pasta & Pizza operates over

125 restaurants across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Known for their delicious Pizza and Pasta, Lorenzo is always striving to provide high-quality and

safe food while staying in line with industry food regulations and evolving trends. In 2019, as

 evolved, Lorenzo realized they needed a solution to stay compliant while also

meeting the growing customer demand for transparency and legality

As health-consciousness grew among diners, transparency in nutrition and allergen information

Muhammad Shahbaz, Quality Assurance Manager

those with Mawarid), and his team, there were several key challenges:

 Manually calculating calories and nutrition

facts was both time-consuming and often inaccurate.

They needed an effective way to manage and display allergen

information for customers with sensitivity.

Staying compliant with SFDA regulations while managing a

 Most importantly, they wanted to provide customers with

trustworthy, transparent information to ensure they felt safe and well-informed.

At the time, Shahbaz had to rely on local food testing labs, painstakingly sending over 100

physical food samples to be tested, spending hundreds of thousands of Saudi riyals, and

A short time later, they discovered NutriCal.

NutriCal emerged as the all-in-one solution that helped Lorenzo overcome these challenges and

With NutriCal, the team no longer spends hours

manually calculating nutrition facts. The software handles the heavy lifting,

providing accurate and up-to-date data with just a click.

NutriCal helps them efficiently manage allergens, ensuring that

every dish is labeled with the correct warnings. This has been crucial for customer

 NutriCal ensures they are always up to code with local

regulations. The software streamlines the labeling process, guaranteeing full compliance

 Lorenzo now provides customers with a complete nutritional

picture. Whether it's calorie counts, macronutrient breakdowns, or allergen information,

diners can easily access all of it on the menu and online.

The Impact: Real Results for the Business and the Customer

The results have been impressive and go beyond just the numbers—they’ve made a tangible

difference in both operations and customer satisfaction.

 Time once spent on double-checking and calculating

is now freed up for more strategic tasks, saving time and costs.

 Significant Cost Savings vs. Lab Testing:

nutritional labeling, Mawarid Food Company spent significant resources on lab testing.

With NutriCal, they eliminated that expense, achieving up to 90% in cost savings while

confidently say their menu is fully compliant, providing peace of mind for the company.

Customers appreciate the transparency and clarity in

nutritional information. It’s about empowering customers to make informed decisions

 Updates to recipes and nutritional information

are quick and easy, ensuring changes are reflected across all platforms without

 providing them with flexibility as the rules evolve.

Customer Feedback: Lorenzo’s Perspective

Muhammad Shahbaz, the Quality Assurance Manager at Lorenzo Pizza & Pasta, says:

 has truly simplified our process. The software is easy to use, and it saves us a lot of

time. It’s also given our customers the transparency they want. The ability to ensure we’re fully

compliant with SFDA regulations, while also offering clear, accurate nutritional information, has

really helped us stay ahead in a competitive market."

Conclusion: The Power of Transparency and Efficiency

For Lorenzo Pizza & Pasta, partnering with 

goals of efficiency, accuracy, and customer transparency. With automated nutrition analysis,

allergen management, and real-time compliance, 

daily operations. As Lorenzo continues to innovate and meet customer demands, they’re equipped with the tools

to succeed in an ever-changing market—ensuring their food is not only delicious but also

If you’re looking to simplify your menu, improve efficiency, and enhance customer transparency,

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Discover how Lorenzo Pizza & Pasta, a leading restaurant brand in Saudi Arabia, achieved SFDA compliance, saved 90% on lab testing costs, and boosted customer trust by partnering with NutriCal for automated nutrition analysis and allergen management.

See how Lorenzo Pizza & Pasta in Saudi Arabia achieved SFDA compliance, cut lab testing costs by 90%, and built customer trust with NutriCal’s nutrition and allergen management tools.



How Lorenzo Pasta & Pizza Reduced Compliance Costs by 90% with NutriCal: A Saudi-Based Food Chain Success Story

If you're running a restaurant, café, juice shop, or food business in Saudi Arabia, there’s an important update you need to know. Starting July 1, 2025, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) will require all food outlets that serve meals outside the home to include physical activity labels next to the nutrition facts label on their menu items.

These labels will show how many minutes of walking it would take to burn off the calories in a dish. It’s part of a larger public health initiative to encourage smarter food choices, raise nutrition awareness, and help reduce obesity across the Kingdom.

A physical activity label is a front-of-menu or front-of-pack visual that converts calorie information into real-life physical activity—specifically walking time.

Instead of just showing calorie numbers, which many people ignore or don’t fully understand, it presents the information in a relatable, practical way. If a drink has 250 kcal, a label might show: "Requires 29 minutes of walking to burn off."

Beginning July 1, 2025, all food businesses that serve food outside the home must display physical activity labels alongside calorie information. This includes:

This move is part of SFDA’s broader national strategy to:

-Improve the clarity and visibility of nutrition facts labels

-Help people make healthier, more informed decisions

-Reduce rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases

The SFDA has recognized that calorie counts alone aren't always enough to encourage behavior change. Physical activity equivalents give consumers a clearer understanding of energy intake.

This isn’t the first time SFDA has implemented regulations focused on public health. The physical activity label is another step toward building a more health-conscious culture in Saudi Arabia.

Here’s what the regulation says food businesses must do:

-Show the number of minutes of walking needed to burn off the calories per item

-Apply the same font size, color, and formatting as the item name or price

-Use Arabic or bilingual labeling based on your menu

-Optional but encouraged: include a walking icon or a QR code linking to full nutrition info

For example, an item with 300 kcal would be labeled like:

Although the regulation goes into effect in July 2025, starting early gives you time to:

-Adjust recipes to reduce calories if needed

-Prepare bilingual templates for printed and digital menus

-Train staff and update point-of-sale systems

-Stay ahead of SFDA inspections and avoid last-minute panic

Manually calculating calorie burn time and formatting labels for every item is tedious and prone to error. 

NutriCal simplifies the entire process from start to finish.

NutriCal analyzes your ingredients and recipes to calculate total calories and generate an SFDA-compliant nutrition facts label in Arabic and English.

Using SFDA’s approved MET formula, NutriCal automatically calculates how many minutes of walking it takes to burn the calories in each item. You don’t have to use spreadsheets or online converters.

NutriCal generates visual labels that include both calorie and walking time values. Labels can be exported for use on:

NutriCal helps ensure the label design matches SFDA display requirements—including font size, color, and formatting. You can even add icons or QR codes with just a click.

This label is ready to place directly on your printed or digital menu, delivery page, or grab-and-go packaging.

If your business serves food to the public, this applies to you. That includes:

Basically, if your food is being served for consumption outside the home, you’ll need to include physical activity information starting July 2025.

Whether you have five items or fifty, NutriCal helps you stay compliant.

Adding physical activity labels isn't just about regulation—it's also a smart brand move. Here’s why:

-You show your customers that you care about health and transparency

-You differentiate yourself from competitors who haven’t adapted

-You prepare your business for future regulations and inspections

-You build trust and loyalty with health-conscious customers

Customers are becoming more mindful of what they eat. Many actively scan menus for nutrition cues. When they see the walking time, it gives them a clearer sense of how that food fits into their lifestyle.

In the age of wellness and accountability, clear nutrition and physical activity labeling is becoming a customer expectation.

 might sound far away now, but updating your labels takes time. Creating visuals, updating menus, training staff, and getting everything approved can take weeks—even months.

-Stay compliant with SFDA’s latest food label rules

-Save time on manual calculations and design work

-Deliver accurate, professional labels across your brand

The earlier you begin, the easier it will be to test and refine your system. 

To meet SFDA’s latest menu regulations, businesses must follow a detailed structure that goes beyond just calorie counts. A fully compliant menu includes: physical activity labels based only on walking time, caffeine content listed in milligrams per serving (e.g., “30 mg caffeine/250 ml”), and a sodium icon for any item containing more than 2000 mg of sodium or 5 grams of salt. Allergens must be clearly listed in a standardized format—such as “Contains: Gluten, Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy, Fish, Crustaceans, Molluscs, Celery, Mustard, Lupin, Sesame, Sulphites.” Arabic language is required across the entire menu.

In addition, SFDA mandates that eight health and nutrition statements be placed at the bottom of the menu. These cover daily calorie needs for adults and children, limits for salt and sugar, recommended caffeine intake, and the customer’s right to request no added sugar in beverages. With NutriCal, you can generate a fully SFDA-compliant menu that includes all these elements—formatted correctly, bilingual-ready, and inspection-proof.

is the easiest way to create SFDA-compliant nutrition facts labels and physical activity visuals. Whether you’re preparing for July 2025 or looking to stand out with health-forward branding, we’re here to help.

makes food labeling fast, accurate, and stress-free.

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Learn what physical activity labels are and how to meet SFDA requirements easily with NutriCal’s accurate nutrition facts label and food label tools.

Everything You Need to Know About Physical Activity Labels and SFDA Compliance

If you're running a restaurant, café, cloud kitchen, or selling packaged food in Abu Dhabi, there's something new you should know: the Sehhi program just got an update.

As of early 2025, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) rolled out the latest version of the Sehhi program—an initiative designed to help consumers quickly spot healthier food options. And if you want your products to wear that trusted Sehhi logo, you'll need to meet some clear standards.

The Sehhi logo is a voluntary nutrition label that signals your dish or product supports better health. But to qualify, there’s a checklist of nutritional and operational criteria to follow. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the program’s latest updates and how NutriCal makes compliance simple.

The Sehhi program, developed by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), is a health labeling system that lets food businesses highlight items that meet set nutritional standards. It’s designed to guide customers toward better choices when dining out or shopping.

Sehhi replaces the earlier "Weqaya" program. The logo can be displayed on menus, packaging, signage, or any customer-facing material to make healthier options more visible and attractive.

Whether you're in food service or manufacturing, participating in the Sehhi program shows you're aligned with public health goals. It’s also a way to differentiate your brand in a market where health-conscious consumers are paying closer attention to what they eat.

Businesses that qualify to use the Sehhi logo include:

It's open to both dine-in and takeaway establishments, as well as retail-packaged foods. But keep in mind: you can only use the logo if you meet all the required standards and get approval from the competent authority. It’s a voluntary program—but with growing public awareness, it could soon become a competitive must.

Participating in Sehhi also helps align your business with national health goals, and shows customers you’re part of the solution to rising rates of chronic disease.

Here’s a simplified snapshot of what’s expected:

Have a certified Food Safety Management System in place (HACCP, ISO, or equivalent)

Maintain a Grade A inspection rating from ADAFSA

Avoid all deep-fried items, artificial colors, or artificial flavors for Sehhi-approved dishes

Keep complete nutritional profiles for each approved product

Conduct internal audits and complete an annual nutritional review to stay current

These general rules ensure that only consistently safe and nutritionally sound products carry the Sehhi mark. Regular documentation and internal checks will also help your team stay on track.

Total fat: ≤ 3g/100g (exceptions may apply for healthy fats like olive oil or avocado)

Salt: ≤ 1g/100g or ≤ 0.4g sodium/100g

Must offer at least 10% Daily Value of a beneficial nutrient (fiber, calcium, vitamin D, iron, or protein)

This ensures that each item is not only lower in undesirable nutrients but also offers something beneficial to support overall health. It encourages the creation of balanced meals that deliver real value.

Kids' meals have slightly tighter standards to reflect their nutritional needs:

No non-sugar sweeteners (e.g., stevia, aspartame, etc.)

Meals must include at least three healthy food groups—like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, or low-fat dairy

This helps ensure children’s meals offer meaningful nourishment, rather than just lower calories. It's also a way for family-focused businesses to reassure parents about their menu choices.

Items like cereal, milk, bread, or smoothies must meet these specific thresholds:

Wholegrain breads and cereals must meet fiber minimums

Dairy items must be low in sugar, sodium, and total fat

Smoothies: < 300 kcal and include at least one full serving of fruit or vegetables

These guidelines reflect a push toward nutrient-dense, functional foods that offer more than just calories.

Complying with all these numbers, ingredients, and documentation requirements manually is a lot to manage. NutriCal simplifies the process with a smart, cloud-based platform that does the work for you.

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Find out what the updated Sehhi program means for your food business. NutriCal makes it simple to meet Abu Dhabi’s latest nutrition label requirements and earn the Sehhi logo.

Everything You Need to Know About Sehhi Labels and Abu Dhabi Compliance

Saudi Arabia has taken significant steps toward improving public health and fighting obesity by enforcing strict nutrition labeling regulations. 

 mandates that restaurants, catering companies, and other food establishments display clear and accurate nutrition information on menus and product labels. Whether you run a full-service restaurant, manage an e-commerce food store, or sell prepackaged goods, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant with SFDA requirements and how NutriCal can help you streamline the process.

here’s what you need to know to stay compliant with SFDA requirements.

Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant with SFDA requirements and how NutriCal can help you streamline the process.


Blogs

SFDA’s New Caffeine Content Regulation: What It Means for Restaurants in Saudi Arabia

How Lorenzo Pasta & Pizza Reduced Compliance Costs by 90% with NutriCal: A Saudi-Based Food Chain Success Story

Everything You Need to Know About Physical Activity Labels and SFDA Compliance

Everything You Need to Know About Sehhi Labels and Abu Dhabi Compliance

Saudi Arabia Nutrition Labeling Requirements

Navigating Food Label Claims: Sugar, Fat, Protein, Fiber and More

Allergen Labeling Compliance: What Every Food Business Must Know

10 Common Nutrition Labeling Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

The Ultimate Guide to Food Labeling in the UAE

Dubai 2024 School Nutrition Guidelines: Health, Sustainability, and Global Standards

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