UAE Dairy Products to Get Healthier as Al Ain Farms and Marmum Cut Added Sugar
By Michelle
Several everyday dairy products in the UAE are set to become less sweet from September 2026, as Al Ain Farms Group moves to reduce added sugars across some of its most popular brands.
The company, which owns [Al Ain Farms](https://alainfarms.com/) and [Marmum Dairy](https://www.marmum.ae/), has pledged to cut added sugars by **10 to 20 per cent** across selected products, including flavoured milk, yoghurt and laban.
The move is part of a wider push to make healthier food choices more accessible in the UAE, especially ahead of the back-to-school season.
## Which dairy products will have less sugar?
The reformulation will apply to selected dairy products under Al Ain Farms and Marmum Dairy.
According to the announcement, products expected to be reformulated include:
- Flavoured milk - Yoghurt - Laban - Selected dairy and beverage products
These products are widely consumed by families, children and school students across the UAE, making the sugar-reduction move especially relevant for daily grocery choices.
## Why are UAE dairy products becoming less sweet?
The initiative is aligned with Abu Dhabi’s Healthy Living Strategy, which aims to support better everyday health choices and reduce preventable lifestyle-related health risks.
The [Abu Dhabi Media Office](https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/) said Al Ain Farms Group’s commitment is part of a wider effort involving government and private sector partners to make healthier choices easier and more accessible.
By reducing added sugars in familiar products, the company is aiming to improve nutrition while keeping products close to the taste consumers already know.
## When will the lower-sugar dairy products be available?
The reformulated products are expected to be available by **September 2026**.
This timing is important because September marks the back-to-school period in the UAE, when families often buy lunchbox drinks, yoghurt and dairy snacks for children.
For parents, the change could make it easier to choose lower-sugar options without completely changing their usual shopping habits.
## What this means for UAE families
For families, the change could make everyday dairy purchases slightly healthier.
Flavoured milk, yoghurt and laban are common household items, and reducing added sugar across these products can support better eating habits over time.
The move may also encourage other food and beverage companies in the UAE to review sugar levels in their own products.
## Will the taste change?
The company has said the goal is to improve the nutritional profile without compromising taste and quality.
This means consumers may notice dairy products becoming less sweet, but the brands are expected to keep the familiar flavour and texture that customers already recognise.
Taste will be an important factor, especially for children and regular consumers who are used to specific flavoured milk and yoghurt products.
## UAE’s wider shift towards healthier products
The dairy sugar-reduction announcement comes as the UAE continues to encourage healthier food and beverage choices.
Public health campaigns, nutrition awareness, school wellness efforts and food industry reformulation are all part of a broader move towards reducing excessive sugar intake.
The UAE has also been updating policies around sweetened drinks and public health, showing a growing focus on nutrition, diabetes prevention and long-term wellbeing.
## Why this matters
The sugar reduction by Al Ain Farms Group is important because it affects products that many UAE residents consume regularly.
For parents, it could mean healthier lunchbox choices. For schools and families, it supports better food habits. For the wider food industry, it sets a practical example of how manufacturers can reformulate products without removing them from daily life.
As UAE consumers become more health-conscious, lower-sugar dairy products could become a bigger part of supermarket shelves and family routines.
## Source Credits
Information source/resource owners: StartupDXB, Gulf News, Abu Dhabi Media Office, Al Ain Farms Group, Al Ain Farms, Marmum Dairy, Entrepreneur Middle East.
## Image Credits
Image credit/resource owners: Marmum Dairy, Sharjah Co-operative Society, Union Coop.Al Ain Farms Group