UAE Launches Major Strategic Push into Alternative Protein Market
As governments worldwide increasingly recognize alternative proteins as one of the options for food security, some nations are turning to fund infrastructure and update regulations to support this new sector. In 2025, aligning with this global wave, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stepped into the arena with robust national investment and policies designed to promote the alternative protein market.
Specifically, Abu Dhabi entered into strategic partnerships with alternative protein enterprises, including The EVERY Company and Vivici, to develop a comprehensive protein fermentation ecosystem [1]. According to the official report, the initiative will focus on the design, financing, and commercialization of a facility that meets the highest standards of food safety and Halal certification. This facility will be multi-tenanted to allow for the participation of other fermented protein companies in the future. In parallel, the initiative supports the creation of a regulatory framework for fermented proteins, establishing clear pathways for commercial approval in the UAE and across the region.
In the meantime, Abu Dhabi also announced its plans to explore the development of a large-scale, multi-tenanted protein fermentation center in Abu Dhabi [2], partnering with companies to advance investment in protein fermentation projects [3]. These developments demonstrate that the UAE is actively promoting this new area, unveiling its strategic intent to shape the future of food and cultivate this emerging sector.
At the federal level, a basic regulatory standard for novel foods has already been established in the UAE. Specifically, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) introduced UAE.S 5048:2021, titled, General Requirements for Novel Foods [4], to serve as the fundamental rules for novel foods. It establishes general requirements for importing, manufacturing, and marketing novel food products [5], requiring all such products to undergo a pre-market assessment. At present, there are no specific rules issued for alternative proteins, such as cultured meat products.
Notably, in late October 2025, Abu Dhabi unveiled a plan [6] to address this gap by proposing a clear, tailored regulatory process for novel foods, including alternative proteins. This plan aims to establish a comprehensive, streamlined registration system, aligned with international best practices. Specifically, it plans to consolidate the approval processes for new food registrations, halal certification, and production/import permits into a unified single-point contact system. One core objective is to implement the novel food registration period of six to nine months. Further, to ensure transparency and build trust, the plan includes the development of a national database of approved food products, supported by detailed technical and regulatory guidelines. It is worth noting that the UAE aims to align its halal certification system with leading global benchmarks, particularly those already established by Malaysia [7] and Indonesia.
The UAE appears to be another market entry point for alternative proteins. We will continue to report regulatory updates in this region, as well as other countries across Asia. Please sign up for our newsletters here.
Keller and Heckman represents the food industry, including alternative protein companies, around the world on various regulatory matters. If you have any questions about novel food application or need any assistance in better understanding the regulatory landscape of alternative proteins in Asia, please do not hesitate to contact David Ettinger (ettinger@khlaw.com), Jenny Xin Li (li@khlaw.com), or your existing contact at Keller and Heckman LLP.
[1] https://adio.abudhabi/resources/news/abu-dhabi-investment-office-partners-with-the-every-company-and-vivici-to-scale-alternative-protein-production-using-fermentation-technology
[2] https://adio.abudhabi/resources/news/adio-and-new-agrarian-to-develop-large-scale-protein-fermentation-centre-in-abu-dhabi
[3] https://adio.abudhabi/resources/news/abu-dhabi-investment-office-partners-with-wusoom-to-advance-investment-in-protein-fermentation-projects
[4] The full text of UAE.S 5048:2021 is not publicly available. Applicants seeking market access can obtain the official specifications and view the latest requirements through the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s service portal, available at: https://moiat.gov.ae/services/sell-standardisation-specifications.
[5] See FAIRS Country Report Annual prepared by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), available at: https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=FAIRS Country Report Annual_Dubai_United Arab Emirates_TC2025-0008.pdf
[6] https://adio.abudhabi/resources/news/abu-dhabi-launches-pioneering-regulatory-framework-for-novel-foods
[7] https://ciri.islam.gov.my/index.php?p=UE9SVEFMO1BhbmRhbmdhbiBIdWt1bTt2aWV3L3BhbmRhbmdhbkh1a3VtOzs=