Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has given restaurants and cafes until the end of 2018 to comply with instructions to display ingredients and calorie counts of their meals and beverages.

These measures come as the SFDA steps up its effort to raise health standards in food establishments across the kingdom, where diabetes has reached epidemic levels.

All food facilities, including restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, fresh fruit juice shops, bakeries, patisseries, supermarkets, recreation facilities, colleges, universities and government agencies have until December 31 to comply or risk fines and legal action.

Workshops and awareness campaigns will be held in most Saudi cities to help companies comply with the decision.

The SFDA told Arabian Business that accurate calorie counts for food outlets can be measured by analysis in labs licensed by SFDA, that are listed on its website.