The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a leading country worldwide in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which alone can explain 73% of mortality in the country. In response to the heavy burden of NCDs, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), in collaboration with other government entities, developed a healthy food strategy (HFS) aimed at enhancing healthy lifestyles and reducing the intake of salt, sugar, saturated fatty acids (SSF) and trans fatty acids (TFA). The objectives of the HFS, to facilitate consumers’ identification of SSF and reduce the SSF and TFA content in food items, were addressed in collaboration with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors of the food industry. These reforms included voluntary and mandatory schemes to display nutrition information in food and beverage establishments, display allergens on food menus, encourage the adoption of front of pack nutrient labels (FoPNLs) on food products, ban the use of partially hydrogenated oils and establish limits for sodium composition in breads and selected food products. This manuscript contextualizes the HFS and presents the results of monitoring initiatives undertaken by the SFDA to assess compliance with these reforms.

Marketing of food items high in added saturated and/or trans-fat, sugar, or sodium (HFSS) negatively affect consumption patterns of young children. The World Health Organization (WHO) advised countries to regulate the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to young populations. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a situational analysis of the regulatory framework of food marketing policies targeting children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). A semi structured questionnaire was shared with the focal points of EMR member states inquiring about the reforms and monitoring initiatives in place. Electronic databases were searched for relevant publications between 2005 and 2021. Results revealed that even though 68% of countries discussed the recommendations, progress toward the WHO set goals has been slow with only 14% of countries implementing any kind of restrictions and none executing a comprehensive approach. Reforms have focused on local television and radio marketing and left out several loopholes related to marketing on the internet, mobile applications, and cross border marketing. Recent monitoring initiatives revealed a slight improvement in the content of advertised material. Yet, unhealthy products are the most promoted in the region. This review identified the need to intensify the efforts to legislate comprehensive food marketing policies within and across EMR countries.

The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is experiencing a nutrition transition, characterized by the emergence of overnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies. No previous study has comparatively examined nutrient intake in adults across countries in the EMR. This review examined the adequacy of nutrients in adults living in the EMR. Moreover, it analyzed the food balance sheets (FBS) for 1961–2018 to identify the trajectory of energy supply from macro-nutrients in the EMR. A systematic search was conducted from January 2012 to September 2020. Only observational studies were retained with a random sampling design. An assessment of the methodological quality was conducted. Levels of nutrient daily intake and their adequacy compared to the daily reference intake of the Institute of Medicine were reported across the region. No studies were identified for half of the region’s countries. Although nutrient energy intake was satisfactory overall, fat and carbohydrate intake were high. Intake of vitamin D, calcium, potassium, zinc, and magnesium were below that recommended. The analysis of the FBS data allowed for the identification of four linear patterns of trajectories, with countries in the EMR best fitting the ‘high-energy-supply from carbohydrate’ group. This systematic review warrants multi-sectorial commitment to optimize nutrient intake.