UAE Recalls 4 Health Products Over Safety Concerns Including Salmonella Risk and Unapproved Ingredients
Dubai, UAE — The United Arab Emirates has issued urgent safety alerts and ordered the withdrawal of four health-related products from the local market after regulators discovered serious compliance and safety concerns that could pose risks to consumers. The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) — the federal authority responsible for regulating medical and health products — confirmed that three dietary supplements and one medical item were unlicensed, potentially unsafe, or defective and must be removed from sale immediately.
Authorities have strongly advised consumers to stop purchasing or using these products and for suppliers to halt their distribution across the UAE, warning that continued sale could result in enforcement action. The recalls demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards in the healthcare sector.
Regulatory Action and Public Warning
In four separate urgent circulars, the EDE warned that the targeted products were being circulated without appropriate regulatory approval and in some cases contained unauthorised or risky ingredients that had not undergone required safety assessments. Officials flagged the items after monitoring online marketplaces and through international safety notices from partner agencies, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in health regulation.
EDE’s directives prohibit the sale, storage, advertising or distribution of the named products through any channel — including pharmacies, health stores, medical warehouses or e-commerce platforms — until they are fully assessed or removed from the market permanently.
The regulator’s actions form part of a broader drive to ensure quality control, consumer safety and compliance with the UAE’s strict medical product laws that protect public health. Products such as dietary supplements and medical devices must undergo safety evaluation, registration and approval before they can be legally sold in the UAE, ensuring that only verified products reach consumers.
This safeguards users from unproven or potentially harmful substances and prevents the circulation of counterfeit or misleading health products that could cause serious harm.
Specific Products Withdrawn
The EDE listed four products targeted for recall or withdrawal, each with distinct safety concerns:
Super Immune+ (dietary supplement) – This product was found to contain unapproved ingredients, including dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), molybdenum amino acid chelate and boron citrate — compounds not authorised under UAE regulatory guidelines for dietary supplements. None of these substances had been legally imported or registered with the EDE, meaning they had not undergone required safety evaluations. Consumers were explicitly told to avoid purchasing or consuming this item.
WoundVite (dietary supplement) – Sold under the brand ZEN NUTRIENTS, this supplement was withdrawn on the basis that it contained a novel food ingredient not approved under European or UAE food safety standards, making its legal status questionable. Regulatory authorities noted the absence of a review or safety assessment by the EDE, making its sale illegal and potentially unsafe for consumers who might rely on it for health benefits.
Rosabella Moringa Capsule (herbal supplement) – This product drew serious safety concerns after it was linked to possible Salmonella contamination, a bacterial infection that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. The contamination risk was identified through an international safety notification involving the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , demonstrating the importance of global information sharing.
Because the product was also not registered with the UAE regulator, it was subject to an immediate recall to prevent public exposure to the bacteria, which can cause serious illness particularly in vulnerable populations such as children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Isotonac-4 (medical product) – This item was removed after regulators received reports of foreign particles or quality defects in some batches, indicating manufacturing quality control issues. While details about the specific production problem were limited, the EDE instructed the manufacturer, local marketer and distributors to immediately begin a formal product recall process to prevent further distribution of potentially defective units.
Consumer Safety Emphasis
In its advisories, the EDE emphasised the importance of buying only authorised, approved health products and checking that dietary supplements and medical devices carry proper registration and approval marks before purchase. Unlicensed products often bypass safety evaluations and quality controls that help protect consumers from harmful substances, contamination, or inaccurate labelling that could lead to incorrect usage.
Authorities urged anyone who has purchased these products to stop using them immediately and report any health issues potentially linked to their use to healthcare providers. Consumers who have experienced adverse effects should seek medical attention.
Healthcare providers, pharmacies and health-related retailers were instructed to verify the status of all products in their inventory and ensure that unauthorised items are not stocked or promoted to customers, as they could face penalties for non-compliance.
Regulatory Context and Compliance
The UAE’s medical product regulatory regime is underpinned by robust laws that govern the registration, import, distribution, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and health supplements. These regulations are designed to align with international safety standards and to prevent unsafe or fraudulent products from entering the market, protecting both residents and visitors.
Recent regulatory developments have also focused on strengthening transparency, supply chain oversight and consumer protection across the healthcare sector, ensuring that the UAE remains a leader in health regulation. For instance, new mechanisms have been introduced to enhance pharmaceutical security and prevent supply monopolies, reflecting the government’s broader commitment to healthcare resilience and quality assurance.
Looking Ahead
With the increased scrutiny on dietary supplements and medical products, the EDE continues to monitor market activity, particularly online sales channels where unregulated products often surface and can reach consumers quickly. Consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant, check approvals before purchasing health products, and consult credible sources or healthcare professionals when in doubt about a product’s legitimacy.
The recalls serve as a reminder that not all products on the market, especially those sold online, have undergone proper regulatory review. When in doubt, consumers should verify with official sources.
Also Read: Healthy Lifestyle After 50: Nutrition, Exercise, and Wellness Tips for Vitality
Conclusion
The UAE’s swift action to recall four potentially dangerous health products demonstrates the effectiveness of its regulatory system and its commitment to public safety. For consumers, the message is clear: buy only from authorised sources and check for proper approvals.
Four products recalled. Safety first. UAE regulators act to protect public health.
