People in Dubai are paying more attention to diet and nutrition, leading to a sharp rise in health supplement consumption. To protect consumers and maintain product quality, Dubai has made registration a must before any supplement can be sold. The process, handled by Dubai Municipality under the Montaji system, checks everything from ingredients to labeling.
Here’s how the health supplement registration process works in Dubai—including the main regulations, labeling rules, and documentation you’ll need to comply with.
This guide focuses specifically on Dubai, UAE. Requirements may differ in other emirates.
What are Health Supplements in Dubai?
Those foods that are meant to be ingested orally, with a dietary ingredient/nutritional component that adds nutritional value and supports the diet, are called health supplements in Dubai. They are neither consumed as regular food nor as a sole item of a meal. They are also not meant to replace meals. Also, they are not medicines that will cure, treat, prevent, or alleviate symptoms of medical conditions and diseases.
Consumers will get them in the form of tablets, capsules, liquids, powders, or even energy bars. The nutritional component in these products is defined as any substance used in health supplements that will increase total dietary intake. It’s in the form of emulsions, ingredients, concentrates, or extracts.
A non-exhaustive list of examples for these products includes the following:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Enzymes
- Proteins and amino acids
- Essential fatty acids
- Herbal and botanical supplements
- Probiotics
- Fiber and prebiotics
- Bodybuilding supplements
- Weight-management products
Understanding the Regulation of Health Supplements in Dubai
Health supplements in Dubai are regulated by Dubai Municipality. The relevant decree for these products is Local Order No. (11) of 2003 concerning Public Health and Safety in the Emirate of Dubai and Administrative Decision No. (30) of 2007.
These guidelines provide the highest safety standards and control procedures to be upheld. They ensure maximum protection when trading health supplements in the region. Companies can’t sell, import, or trade these products if they don’t follow these specific guidelines.
The consumer products e-commerce guideline also applies to it to oversee the online operations, whether products are being sold to consumers from a website in Dubai or directly shipped from a third country. They must comply with specific regulations and licensing requirements.
For Dubai consumer products, including health supplements the relevant regulatory activities may include:
- Company registration
- Product registration
- Import or re-export permissions, where applicable
- Product and label assessment
- Laboratory testing, where requested
- Advertising permissions, where applicable
- Post-market monitoring and inspection
Safety & Quality Specifications for Health Supplements in Dubai
These products should adhere to the following specifications:
- Should not contain any active ingredient other than those authorized and stated on the label.
- No substance should be derived from any part of the human body.
- No substance should exceed the permit limit—like vitamins & minerals, microbial contamination, and toxic heavy metals.
- Substances listed in the prohibited ingredients should not be used.
- If ingredients are derived from animal sources, there shouldn’t be any that may lead to zoonotic diseases.
- Product stability, proper shelf life, packaging, labeling, and GMP requirements should be followed properly.
Health Claims for Health Supplements in Dubai
Permissible claims include a claim suggesting that the product has characteristics related to its origin or value. Also, any statement or representation that mentions health, nutrition, manufacturing, quality, composition, or indications of use can be there.
Generally, two types of claims are allowed for health supplements in Dubai. These are given below:
1. Health Claim
It involves general health claims or nutrient support claims that are intended for public health maintenance and well-being. Any claim made regarding the product or one of its components and human health should be supported by sound and sufficient scientific evidence. It should prove the claim’s validity and must provide accurate information only.
The claims should not mislead consumers. Every component function should be supported and documented with enough evidence. Certain claims (vitamin/mineral supplementation) are allowed only when the relevant vitamin or mineral used in the product is over 30% of the RDA (recommended dietary allowance) value.
Mention nutritional supplementation (beyond the normal nutritional value obtained from the food). Examples of some health claims are strengthening the body, relieving weakness, and general tiredness
2. Structure or Functional Claim
This is when the ingredient is intended to affect the normal function or structure of the body. Such claims must be backed up by adequate ingredient-based evidence and product-based evidence when necessary. Examples of some functional claims are public support for maintaining healthy jobs, maintaining joint health, supporting physiological processes, strengthening the Immune or circulatory system, helping manage mild discomfort associated with menopausal symptoms, maintaining joint flexibility and mobility, etc.
3. Prohibited Claim
There can be no claim to place, advertise, or promote health supplements for a specific medical purpose. Explicitly, it applies to the treatment, prevention, or cure of any disease, disorder, or related condition.
Maximum Daily Limit for Vitamins and Minerals
The maximum daily limit for some common vitamins and minerals in health supplements, as per the guidelines of Dubai Municipality, is as follows:
| Vitamins/Minerals |
Daily Allowed Upper Limit for Men/Women (Adults)
|
| Vitamin A | 3000 mcg/day |
| Vitamin B1 Thiamin | 100 mg/day |
| Vitamin B2 Riboflavin | 100 mg/day |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin as Nicotinic Acid) | 500 mg/day |
| Niacin as Nicotinamide | 900mg/day |
| Vitamin B6 | 100 mg/day |
| Vitamin B12, Folic acid | 1000 mcg/day |
| Vitamin C | 2000 mg/day |
| Vitamin D | 100 mcg/day |
| Vitamin E | 1000 mg/day (1500 iu) |
| Vitamin K | 120 mcg/day |
| Pantothenic Acid | 500 mg/day |
| Choline | 3500 mg/day |
| Biotin | 2500 mcg |
| Calcium | 2500 mg/day |
| Sodium | 2300 mg/day |
| Copper | 10 mg/day |
| Magnesium | 500 mg/day |
| Potassium | 200 mg/day |
| Iron | 45 mg/day |
| Zinc | 50 mg/day (women)
35 mg/day (Men) |
| Selenium | 400 mcg/day |
| Manganese | 9 mg/day |
| Iodine | 1100 mcg/day |
| Phosphorous | 4000 mg/day |
Labeling Requirements for Health Supplements in Dubai
Health supplements should be clearly mentioned on the label of the pack. It should have the words “intended for human use only.” There shouldn’t be any suggestion on the label visually or with words that say it cures, treats, or prevents diseases. There should be no pointing to human body parts suggesting alleviation of symptoms. It should not even be included in brochures, leaflets, advertisements, or in any other way.
Mention probiotics specifically formulated for children under two years old. The components of the label must be stated in clear English and/or the Arabic language. Other important info on the label includes the following:
- Trademark
- Product name
- Manufacturer’s details
- Country of origin
- Ingredients (Active/Inactive using INCI/botanical names)
- Production & expiry dates
- Storage conditions
- Indications for use/purpose of the product
- Storage conditions
- Instructions and dosage for use
- Warnings
- Barcode/Product Industrial Code Number
- Batch number
Images or drawings added should not be inappropriate or incompatible with customs and prevailing social values. The product should not be presented as traditional food or as the sole component of a meal or diet. There must be a dietary supplement fact sheet with per-serving active ingredients and other added ingredients. Disclose vitamins and minerals on the label in numerical form with their percent RDV.
Read the detailed labelling requirements for Health Supplements in the UAE here.
Documentation Requirements for Registration of Health Supplements in Dubai
The documents needed for the health supplement registration with Dubai Municipality are as follows:
- Clear Artwork of Product: Alongside the product image, an artwork or design related to the product is needed. This illustration should include all relevant information and serve as a visual representation of the product.
- Free Sale Certificate: It is a document that shows that the health supplement is being sold legally in its country of origin without any restrictions. The regulatory authority of the country of origin is the one who should issue the FSC. At the time of submission and request, FSC must be valid.
- Ingredients/Component Report / Product Formulation: A detailed list of all ingredients and their respective quantities in the product must be provided. This report, issued by the manufacturer or brand owner, ensures transparency and helps the Dubai Municipality assess the safety and compliance of the product. The report should use chemical names and registration numbers for chemical ingredients only. Disclose the complete amino acid profile, scientific name of the plant, and part of the plant used. This document must be issued by the manufacturer in the country of origin along with signatures and stamps from the R&D department.
- Lab analysis report & certificate: The detailed physical, chemical, and microbiological analysis of the product is mentioned in this lab report. Depending on the product type, it can be issued by Dubai Central Laboratory or any accredited international laboratory. The manufacturer in the country of origin of the product, with the signature and stamp of the manufacturer’s R&D department, must also be included in the document.
- GMP Certificate: A Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate must be submitted from certified entities for locally manufactured products only. It should be valid at the time of submission.
- Other Certificates: Depending on the product type, a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or a Halal Certificate from a certified entity or related ones may be needed. Organic certificates, clinical studies, and safety assessment reports might also be required. They must be issued by an Islamic authority recognized in the country of origin.
- Valid Product Registration Certificate or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued to the product by any of the official health authorities in Dubai, like the MOHAP or Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), if any.
- Product Identification Card: It covers the brand name, product name, product size/weight, manufacturer’s address, website, or contact information, the responsible party, the method, reasons for use, components, barcode, and barcode number.
Pre-Requisites for Health Supplement Registration in Dubai
A company intending to manufacture, import, distribute, or sell health supplements in Dubai should first confirm that it has the appropriate business and product permissions. The applicant may need to establish or maintain:
- A valid UAE trade licence covering the relevant activity
- The appropriate business or warehouse arrangement in Dubai, where required
- A company account with the relevant authority or portal
- Product information and formulation details
- Compliant product artwork and labeling
- Supporting conformity or laboratory documents
- Import-related permissions, where applicable
The exact prerequisites may vary according to whether the applicant is a local manufacturer, an importer, a distributor, a local agent representing a foreign manufacturer, or a business involved in import and re-export. The applicant should confirm the current activity and licensing requirements with Dubai Municipality and the relevant licensing authority before beginning product registration.
Health Supplements Registration Process in Dubai
The Dubai Municipality registration process generally involves company and product registration. The steps are as follows:
Step 1: Company Registration
The applicant first establishes the required company account and completes the applicable company registration process through the Montaji portal.
Step 2: Product Registration
After company registration, the applicant submits the product registration application with the required product information and supporting documents. The submission may include all relevant documents and payment of applicable fees.
Step 3: Authority Review
Dubai Municipality reviews the submitted information to assess the product’s compliance with the applicable requirements. The authority may request clarification of ingredients, revised artwork, additional supporting documents, laboratory testing, corrections to product information, and further information regarding claims or intended use.
Step 4: Approval or Further Action
The application may be approved, rejected, or returned for completion or correction. Registration should not be treated as complete until the applicant receives the relevant approval or registration confirmation through the applicable system.
Products may be rejected or subject to corrective action if they contain prohibited or unsuitable ingredients, provide misleading information, have undisclosed ingredients, or fail to meet applicable labeling and safety requirements.
Dubai Municipality also maintains a list of non-complying consumer products, including non-complying health supplements.
Advertising Permissions
An advertising permit may be required for health-supplement advertising in Dubai, depending on the type, location, and format of the advertisement. Dubai Municipality lists a consumer-product advertising-permit service among its available services. Businesses should confirm whether their proposed advertisement requires a permit before publication or display.
Who Must Apply for Health Supplement Registration in Dubai?
The relevant applicant may include:
- A local manufacturer of health supplements
- An importer
- A distributor
- Any local agent acting for a foreign manufacturer
- A company placing the product on the Dubai market
- A business involved in import and re-export, where the applicable requirements apply
The responsible business should ensure that the product is registered or approved through the correct route before it is manufactured, imported, distributed, advertised, or sold in Dubai.
Foreign manufacturers generally work through an appropriate UAE-based importer, agent, distributor, or other responsible local entity, depending on the applicable requirements.
Import Requirements for Health Supplements in Dubai
Health supplements must be registered before import, or export procedures begin. Before importing them for trading in Dubai, the product must be registered through the applicable Dubai Municipality registration process.
The imported product should meet the applicable requirements concerning the following:
- Product composition
- Permitted and prohibited ingredients
- Maximum permitted levels of vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients
- Product quality and stability
- Microbiological and chemical safety
- Product labeling and packaging
- Manufacturing under Good Manufacturing Practice requirements
- Supporting documentation and certificates
Dubai Municipality may require product-specific laboratory examinations according to the product category. These examinations are requested during the product-assessment stage and must comply with the testing specifications set out in the guideline.
The importer or applicant should therefore ensure that the product dossier is complete and that the product information, formulation, label, and supporting documents correspond to the product intended for importation. Where animal-derived ingredients are used, the guideline identifies Halal certification as a supporting document for confirming the source of those ingredients. Other supporting documents, such as organic certificates or clinical studies, may be required where relevant to the product or its claims.
The guideline also prohibits the circulation of health supplements that do not comply with its requirements. Dubai Municipality may conduct market-control activities, including checking product registration status, verifying physical conformity, and collecting samples for relevant laboratory testing. Non-compliant products may be subject to the measures applicable under the relevant laws and regulations.
Timelines, Fees, and Validity for Health Supplement Registration in Dubai
The registration takes up to 12 working days from the date of completion of the requirements for product registration.
The registration fees are structured as follows:
- Application Fee: AED 10
- Any additional products or variants of the product added to the application: AED 10/ addition
- AED 200 per copy for printing of the registration certificate (optional)
- AED 20 for knowledge and innovation (optional)
The health supplement registration certificate is valid for a period of 5 years and can be extended after 5 years by renewal. When applying for renewal, it is reviewed and then renewed.
Conclusion
The food supplement registration in Dubai is a mandatory process, as it ensures the safety and quality of the product as well as the consumer’s safety and well-being. It is important to follow the requirements of both country and culture wise (Eg. The Halal Certificate) for those who wish to market their products in the Dubai. This can be done by effective navigation of the regulatory framework.
Artixio’s regional experts support companies with health supplement registration, labelling, documentation and market-entry requirements in Dubai. Explore our nutrition regulatory services for regulatory support across the product lifecycle.
FAQs
1. What is the Montaji system?
The Montaji system is an online portal used for the registration of health supplements in Dubai. Health supplements, prior to their manufacture, import, export, distribution, or any kind of marketing in Dubai, must be registered, and this is done via the Montaji system.
2. Is a Free Sale Certificate mandatory for every health supplement?
Not necessarily. A Free Sale Certificate may be relevant to certain registration or importation routes, but its requirement should be confirmed against the current service requirements for the specific product.
3. Is GMP certification mandatory for every Dubai health supplement application?
A GMP certificate or equivalent manufacturing-quality document may be requested depending on the product and regulatory route.
