SFDA Menu Requirements 2025: Calories, Caffeine and Salt on Saudi Menus
What SFDA asks restaurants and cafés in Saudi Arabia to show on printed and digital menus since 1 July 2025, and how to add each label to a QR menu.
Published by Qaema. This is a summary of public announcements, not legal advice; sources are linked below.
Short answer
Restaurant and café menus in Saudi Arabia must show calories (since 2019). From 1 July 2025 they must also show caffeine content, a high-salt warning and a physical-activity equivalent, on printed and digital menus alike (SPA, Foodics summary).
The labels, one by one
| Label | Since | What guests see | In Qaema |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 2019 | kcal next to each item | Calories field per item and per size |
| Caffeine | 1 July 2025 | Caffeine in mg for drinks that contain it | Caffeine per cup and per size |
| High-salt warning | 1 July 2025 | A salt-shaker icon on high-salt dishes | One switch per item |
| Physical-activity equivalent | 1 July 2025 | The activity needed to burn the item, such as walking | Walking minutes, worked out from kcal |
| Daily intake | Guidance | Daily calorie needs for adults and children | Optional guide line on the menu |
| Allergens | Food rules | The main allergens, with "may contain" | 14 allergens, "may contain", guest filter |
Adding them to a QR menu
- Start your menu. Paste a link to your current online menu, drop a spreadsheet or start blank on the Qaema homepage.
- Fill calories for every item. Items with sizes get a value per size.
- Add caffeine to hot and cold drinks, per cup and per size.
- Mark high-salt dishes. Guests see the salt-shaker icon.
- Switch on walking time and the daily-intake guide under Menu → Labels & compliance. Walking minutes use SFDA's formula: calories × 60 ÷ (3.3 × 70 kg).
- Publish. The same labels show in Arabic and English, and guests' AI assistants can read them too.
Common mistakes
- Putting calories in the description. A dedicated field shows the same way on every item and in both languages.
- Forgetting sizes. A large latte has more calories and caffeine than a small one.
- Updating the printed menu but not the QR menu, or the other way round. The rules cover both.
Qaema includes calories and allergens on every plan, including Free. See pricing, or read how to make a bilingual QR menu.
Frequently asked questions
What does SFDA require on restaurant menus?
Calories on menu items, required since 2019. From 1 July 2025 SFDA also requires caffeine content, a high-salt warning and a physical-activity equivalent, on printed and digital menus.
Do the SFDA rules apply to digital and QR menus?
Yes. The 2025 requirements cover printed and digital menus alike, so a QR menu needs the same labels as a printed one.
How do I add SFDA labels to a QR menu?
In Qaema each label has its own field: calories, caffeine per cup and per size, a high-salt icon, the walking minutes that burn a dish and an adult daily-intake guide. Each is optional and switched on under Menu → Labels & compliance.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page summarises public announcements. Check the current SFDA rules for your venue type before you rely on it.