Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
The UAE's revamped excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is a major step toward creating an environment where healthier choices are more accessible and easier to make, experts said ahead of the new policy's rollout.
Starting 2026, the country will implement the new excise tax mechanism for SSBs, as announced by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Under this framework, a tiered volumetric model will replace the current flat rate, with tax levels per litre linked directly to the sugar content per 100 ml of beverage.
Public health specialists see the change as a significant move to curb the consumption of high‑sugar drinks, which have been linked to obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle‑related diseases.
Making healthy living easier for people - whether through better food choices or more opportunities to stay active - is key to creating a society where longer, healthier lives are the norm, said Dr Ahmed AlKhazraji, Executive Director, Healthy Living at Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH).
"The UAE's sugar tax is a positive and proactive step. It is one of several measures we must pursue, from responsible marketing to greater investment in fitness infrastructure. We have a real opportunity to make meaningful progress, and this is an important milestone on that journey," AlKhazraji told Aletihad.
By linking the tax to sugar content, the UAE is encouraging reformulation and the production of healthier beverages, said nutritionist Layla Alalami. "Many soft drinks contain excessive sugar, putting a heavy burden on public health systems," Alalami told Aletihad.
In October, the FTA urged producers, importers and stockpilers of sweetened drinks to start reviewing the sugar content in their products. SSBs must be registered as excise goods, and certified laboratory reports detailing the sugar and sweetener content of each product must be submitted.
Once the new rules take effect, any sweetened drink without a valid UAE Certificate of Conformity will automatically be classified as a high-sugar beverage until laboratory verification confirms otherwise, according to the FTA. Such thorough product evaluations would support transparency by making it easier for consumers to identify drinks with high levels of sugar.
Hidden sugars, whether in beverages or other everyday products, are one of the most dangerous and overlooked contributors to poor health, according to Alalami. "Most people do not realise just how much sugar is packed into the drinks they consume daily; some of them have the equivalent of 7 to 10 teaspoons per can. What is more concerning is that many parents unknowingly give these drinks to their children, thinking they are harmless," Alalami said.
Over time, this constant intake leads to blood sugar spikes, increased fat storage, and ultimately, serious long-term health issues like type 2 diabetes, obesity, fatty liver, and heart disease, she added. The nutritionist emphasised that while people might look out for sugar on a label, they often miss the hidden forms of it, such as fructose, sucrose, glucose syrup, or even natural sweeteners that still impact blood sugar.
"Just because it is not labelled clearly does not mean it is safe. The average person far exceeds the recommended daily intake of sugar without even knowing it," Alalami said.
She welcomed the UAE's decision to raise the excise tax on sweetened beverages, calling it "a much-needed move in the right direction," and expressed hope that similar steps would be taken to target other sugar-laden products like chocolates, candy, and processed snacks.
Wellness expert Diego Carrete said these taxes work because they make the less healthy option the harder and costlier one to choose. "This is a strong nudge that works alongside awareness campaigns. Relying on motivation alone is tough, but when the environment itself changes, like making the healthier option the easier default, you see real shifts," Carrete told Aleithad.
He noted that this will push manufacturers to create better, low-sugar alternatives, and consumers will naturally become more aware of nutrition labels and what they are putting into their bodies.
