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UAE is a desert region on the sea side, and its natural edible goods include mainly dates; marine diet and a limited amount of other food items found in those regions. But most emirates of the UAE, especially Dubai, have been converted into an international zone; and now food products from around the globe are available in UAE markets, particularly Dubai. However, registration of food products in Dubai is mandatory for every company according to Dubai law.
This had been made easier by the implementation of a stringent system for registering food items in Dubai. Like many other businesses, food products business is a very money-making business; due to tax and duty-free facilities; along with the chance to form the company in free zones in Dubai.
After the goods have been registered, they are allowed to enter the United Arab Emirates and thus can be sold in any Emirate of the United Arab Emirates without further approval by the Federal Authority. It is done to take care of the product quality, as well as for hygienic purposes like halal goods, proper packaging etc. No commodity is allowed to be purchased, transported, marketed or manufactured without registering on the federal authority site of the Municipality of Dubai. Registering a product with all the necessary information offers ease and benefits for entry to the entire GCC market.
Packed food products are packed in different types of containers by the suppliers and manufacturers to sell them in the market and retail stores. Processed foods are also packed in different types of boxes or cans. They are sold all around the United Arab Emirates. Some of the examples are mentioned below:
- You cannot apply for the goods with ban ingredients like alcohol as well as poppy seeds.
- All the ingredients present in the food product should be mentioned.
- Non edible items like cigarettes as well as food supplements are not registered through such process.
- FIRS will without any delay reject your application; if the food product you apply for is already register with another name or account.
- All the things present in food product must be mention either in English or also in Arabic.
- There are quite a few things compulsory to be mention on the product; like product name, brand name, production as well as expiry dates; net weight and others relevant things.
- a small number of food flavours are banned in UAE including; fast yellow A B, yellow 2 G, patent blue V, Amaranth, potassium bro mated etc.
Process of Food Product Registration in Dubai
The process for food products registration in Dubai is now linked with the Dubai Municipality (DM). All the products should be registered on the website of DM; along with entire details of the products as well as their samples.
Documents Required for Registration
Now coming to the document part of the food product. It is very important to register your food product in DM; that is before any import or export of the food products. So, before you go with the registration please make sure you have the following documents:
- Trade license of the company
- Email ID of the company
- A phone number as well as a fax number of the company
- P.O. Box number of the company
- Details of company’s site in Dubai
- Company agent’s name along with mobile number.
If you are looking for food product registration in Dubai; and you want to complete the entire procedure without any trouble; we at, PRD, can offer you a complete solution. We have years of product registration experience in Dubai as well as other emirates of UAE. You can Contact Us via our WhatsApp # 971 54 582 1012 or send email at info@dev.businesssetupinsaudi.com.
- Frozen vegetables
- Frozen foods such as nuggets
- Frozen yoghurt
- Canned beans such as corns
- Canned food such as tuna, salmon, sausages
- Canned sauces such as tomato sauce
- Packaged Ice-creams, Cakes etc.
- Juices with or without pulps
Food Product Registration in Dubai
Registration of food products in Dubai is a system in which all forms of food products are generally registered with Dubai Municipality (DM), before being imported or sold in Dubai. This is a complex procedure containing several layers. The key stage is the registration of a food product in the municipality of Dubai. Many documents will be needed to complete this process. The intended food item will be registered in the FIRS (Food Import & Re-Export System) during the second stage. The third significant step is the approval of the food product from (ESMA). This federal authority shall regulate the quality as well as the price of food products and issue a certificate after approval.
Label Approval for Food Product Registration
To approve the label on any food product that has not been approved before; the approval of the food label requires that each food label includes the following;
- Brand name (Mandatory for food product registration in Dubai)
- Product name (a short info of the food product which you want to register).
- Language of the label shall be in Arabic.
- Weight or volume of the food product.
- Instructions for using the product (if you think that client need this)
- Mention all of the key ingredients which may cause hyper sensitivity
- Name of the food manufacturer, distributor, packer or importer.
- Production as well as expiration dates of all products; (Accept those which are exempt from displaying the validity as well as expiration dates).
- Lot number as well as product bar code.
- Country of Origin (if its omission leads to deceiving or misleading the consumer).
- Storage conditions (if the validity of the product depends on such conditions).
- Showing the nutritional information are optional (except the products with special uses such as baby foods, foods for patients, etc).
Therefore, before you proceed further with the label approval, make sure that the food product label includes the above-mentioned things.
Why Regulation of Food Products in Dubai is Necessary?
According to the law of Dubai, the regulating food products in Dubai is necessary for the importation and exportation of all food products in Dubai. The procedure is governed by DM through its Food Import & Re-Export Service (FIRS). Through this system of registration of food products; the Government of Dubai ensures that only the best quality food product is imported; produces as well as re-exports from the region. FIRS are important for services relating to: food imports for re-export purposes, issuance of health certificates, etc.
Requirements for Food Product Registration in Dubai
There are some points ahead of launching of new food products in Dubai. Following are a few things to keep in mind before applying for registration of food products in Dubai:
- You cannot apply for the goods with ban ingredients like alcohol as well as poppy seeds.
- All the ingredients present in the food product should be mentioned.
- Non edible items like cigarettes as well as food supplements are not registered through such process.
- FIRS will without any delay reject your application; if the food product you apply for is already register with another name or account.
- All the things present in food product must be mention either in English or also in Arabic.
- There are quite a few things compulsory to be mention on the product; like product name, brand name, production as well as expiry dates; net weight and others relevant things.
- a small number of food flavours are banned in UAE including; fast yellow A B, yellow 2 G, patent blue V, Amaranth, potassium bro mated etc.
Process of Food Product Registration in Dubai
The process for food products registration in Dubai is now linked with the Dubai Municipality (DM). All the products should be registered on the website of DM; along with entire details of the products as well as their samples.
Documents Required for Registration
Now coming to the document part of the food product. It is very important to register your food product in DM; that is before any import or export of the food products. So, before you go with the registration please make sure you have the following documents:
- Trade license of the company
- Email ID of the company
- A phone number as well as a fax number of the company
- P.O. Box number of the company
- Details of company’s site in Dubai
- Company agent’s name along with mobile number.
If you are looking for food product registration in Dubai; and you want to complete the entire procedure without any trouble; we at, PRD, can offer you a complete solution. We have years of product registration experience in Dubai as well as other emirates of UAE. You can Contact Us via our WhatsApp # 971 54 582 1013 or send email at info@productregistrationdubai.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is food product registration mandatory in Dubai before importing or selling?
Yes. All food products must be registered with Dubai Municipality (DM) before they can be imported, sold, transported, or manufactured in Dubai. No product may enter the market without prior registration. This applies to both local and international suppliers.
2. What is FIRS and what role does it play in food registration in Dubai?
FIRS stands for Food Import & Re-Export System. It is the Dubai Municipality platform through which all food products are registered. It also handles health certificate issuance and approvals for food imported for re-export purposes.
3. What documents are required to register a food product in Dubai?
You will need your company’s trade license, email address, phone and fax numbers, P.O. Box number, Dubai site details, and your company agent’s name and mobile number. All documents must be submitted through the Dubai Municipality registration portal.
4. What are the mandatory food labeling requirements in Dubai?
Every food label must include the brand name, product name, weight or volume, production and expiry dates, country of origin, storage conditions, list of allergens, and manufacturer or importer details. Labels must be in Arabic. English may be included alongside Arabic.
5. Which food ingredients or products are banned from registration in Dubai?
Products containing alcohol or poppy seeds cannot be registered. Certain food colourings are also prohibited, including Fast Yellow AB, Yellow 2G, Patent Blue V, Amaranth, and Potassium Bromate. Applications containing these will be rejected.
6. Can food supplements or cigarettes be registered through the Dubai food product registration process?
No. Non-edible items such as cigarettes and food supplements are not registered through the Dubai Municipality food product registration process. These fall under separate regulatory frameworks.
7. What happens if my food product is already registered under a different name or account?
FIRS will immediately reject your application. Each food product must be unique in the system. Duplicate submissions under a different name or account are not permitted and will result in automatic rejection.
8. Does registering a food product in Dubai give access to the wider GCC market?
Yes. Once registered with Dubai Municipality, a product is permitted to enter the UAE without further federal approval. Registration also facilitates smoother market entry across the broader GCC region.
9. What is the role of ESMA in food product registration in Dubai?
ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology) is the federal authority that reviews and approves food products after the Dubai Municipality registration stage. It regulates product quality and pricing, and issues a certificate upon approval.
10. What types of food products need to be registered in Dubai?
Packaged and processed food products require registration. This includes frozen vegetables, frozen foods, canned goods such as tuna and beans, packaged juices, ice creams, cakes, and canned sauces. Any product sold in retail or distributed commercially must be registered.
11. Is nutritional information required on food labels in Dubai?
Nutritional information is generally optional on standard food labels. However, it becomes mandatory for products with special dietary uses, such as baby foods and foods intended for patients or medical purposes.
12. How do I register a food product on the Dubai Municipality website?
Registration is completed through the Dubai Municipality online portal. You must submit full product details, label information, and product samples. All information must comply with DM’s food code requirements before the application proceeds.
13. What are the food labeling language requirements in Dubai?
Arabic is the mandatory language for all food labels in Dubai. Additional languages such as English may be included, but Arabic must be present. Labels that are exclusively in English will not meet DM compliance standards.
14. Can a foreign company directly register a food product with Dubai Municipality?
A foreign company typically needs a local agent or registered company presence in Dubai to complete the registration process. The required documents include local company details, a Dubai-based address, and a company agent’s contact information.
15. Why should a business use a professional service for food product registration in Dubai?
The process involves multiple stages DM registration, FIRS submission, and ESMA approval each with strict documentation and compliance requirements. A professional service reduces the risk of rejection, saves time, and ensures your application meets all regulatory standards from the outset.
