AAFG Commits to Significant Sugar Reduction in UAE Products

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Al Ain Farms Group (AAFG), one of the leading food and beverage producers in the UAE, has revealed an ambitious initiative to lower added sugar in its product range by as much as 20 percent. This commitment affects many of the group’s popular brands, such as Al Ain Farms and Marmum Dairy, and aligns with broader efforts to encourage healthier food choices throughout the Emirates.

This initiative is consistent with Abu Dhabi’s Healthy Living Strategy, a comprehensive program aimed at enhancing public health through collaborative efforts from governmental and private sectors. The sugar reduction is one of 28 strategic measures designed to improve the nutritional value of widely consumed food and beverages while ensuring they remain appealing and affordable.

Formalized in partnership with Healthy Living and the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), this initiative reflects a unified strategy to elevate nutrition standards across the UAE's food industry. AAFG aims to reformulate a variety of dairy and beverage offerings to decrease sugar without sacrificing quality or customer satisfaction.

His Excellency Dr. Ahmed AlKhazraji, Executive Director of Healthy Living, emphasized that increasing the nutritional quality of everyday foods is vital for fostering healthier lifestyles. He noted that enhancing the accessibility of nutritious food can lead to notable improvements in the public's health.

Dr. AlKhazraji commended Al Ain Farms Group for its leadership in the industry, underscoring the company's role in reinforcing the UAE’s healthy food sector. He remarked that initiatives like this one are instrumental in effecting long-lasting improvements in food environments and encouraging industry-wide engagement in augmenting nutrition standards.

“By setting a practical benchmark, Al Ain Farms Group exemplifies how local manufacturers can significantly contribute to public health agendas while ensuring choice and quality for consumers,” he noted.

His Excellency Eng Abdulla Hassan Al Muaini, Executive Director of the QCC’s Central Testing Laboratory, supported the company’s vow, referring to it as a crucial step in bolstering informed consumer choices and enhancing food quality standards in the region.

AAFG's CEO, Hassan Safi, commented that this initiative reflects the company’s enduring dedication to nutrition and innovation. He stressed the aim of the reformulation is to enrich the nutritional profile of everyday products while retaining flavor and quality for consumers.

“We strive to integrate innovation with progressive reformulation to provide consumers with healthier options. This builds on our previous work developing no-added-sugar beverages and marks another step forward in responsible food innovation,” Safi stated.

In line with its strategy to provide healthier alternatives, AAFG launched a new health-focused product lineup in April 2026. The company plans to reformulate several beloved household items, including flavored milk, yogurt, and laban, marketed under the Al Ain Farms and Marmum Dairy brands.

The revamped products are set to hit the shelves ahead of the September 2026 Back-to-School shopping surge, providing families with lower-sugar options during a peak retail season.

Industry analysts view this initiative as a significant demonstration of how effective partnerships between governmental bodies and food producers can mitigate rising concerns regarding excessive sugar intake, particularly among children and adolescents. Health experts have consistently highlighted the necessity of reducing sugar consumption to lessen risks tied to obesity, diabetes, and various chronic illnesses.

AAFG’s initiatives bolster the increasing movement towards food reformulation in the UAE and accentuate the involvement of the private sector in advancing national health objectives. Through ongoing collaborations with key industry players, Healthy Living seeks to further enhance food environments and ensure healthier choices are accessible across communities throughout the emirate and beyond.

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