The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (Standards) reported that seven national companies and institutions in the Emirates have requested the application of the Emirati standard related to nutrition data for goods and food products packaged in the form of traffic lights colors, which were adopted by the “Specifications” as distinctive signs for the proportions of food ingredients.

Provide data

The General Director of the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (Standards), Abdullah Al-Muaini, told «Emirates Today» that «(the standard) includes the creation and provision of data and information on fats, saturated fats, energy and sugar, on packages of food products, so that it is used (red, yellow and green) To clarify the proportions of these substances on the packages of the food commodity, so green means a healthy choice, and yellow means a healthy choice, and red means a less healthy choice.

He explained that (the specification) will be applied optionally for a period of two years, provided that the authority begins, starting in January 2022, requiring producers and manufacturers in the country to place health data in a simplified manner on food products in the colors of traffic lights, provided that the application includes canned, solid and liquid food products and products.

The application of the standard

Al-Muaini considered that the demand of institutions to apply the standard, which is still in the experimental stage, is a positive indicator that reflects the extent of the interest of producers and regulatory bodies to implement the standard, adherence to the highest international quality standards, and increase the competitiveness of Emirati products in the global markets.

He noted that the “specification” comes within the framework of the policy of “labeling” the nutritional values ​​of products that are one of the outputs of the community design initiative for quality of life launched by the National Program for Happiness and Quality of Life and the Ministry of State for Happiness and Quality of Life, in cooperation with the Ministry of State for Food Security and the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (Standards) , Which undertakes the implementation of the policy at the state level, to sensitize and educate community members, with the aim of making quick and easy nutritional decisions that enhance the healthy lifestyle and raise the quality of life in the UAE society.

Technical regulations

Al-Muaini said, “The preparation and development of specifications and technical regulations are directly related to the goals of the National Agenda 2021, especially with regard to the index (a sustainable environment and integrated infrastructure) to ensure the sustainability of sustainable development.” He added that “specifications” adopted the development of explanatory information on product packages, on To be in a simplified manner on the front side of the package, colors (red, yellow, green) are adopted as distinctive signs of the proportions of the nutritional components, in what may be called (labeling), using light signals, in order to enhance awareness of different consumer groups, and it will also contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the national product, Bm It does not reflect positively on the economy of the Emirates.

He pointed out that the policy of “labeling the nutritional values ​​of products” focused on the active healthy life of the community members, and targeted the products of canned solid and liquid foods, by providing information that facilitates the decision to choose healthy foods for community members, which is mandatory for manufacturers of food products, as of the beginning of 2022 While the (labeling) nutritional values ​​policy excludes fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat and fish.

He pointed out that a specification authority is responsible for implementing the policy of “labeling” nutritional values ​​in cooperation and integration with the relevant authorities in each emirate, where it was found that the policy of “labeling nutritional values ​​for products” includes information on nutritional components of four elements that have a significant impact on public health: sugar, salts, and fats. , And calories.

The “Specifications” prepared Standard No. (UAE.S 5034) regarding the nutritional information of the products that are packed in the colors of the traffic lights, in order to enhance the quality level of the products and services in the Emirates.