Kuwait authorities closed an unlicensed fitness club and issued summons to two businesses for breaching energy drink regulations during inspections of fitness centers and nutrition stores on March 29, the Arab Times reported. The Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Department carried out the visits across multiple areas as enforcement of strict new rules on such products intensifies to protect consumer health.
The Ministry of Health introduced comprehensive regulations on energy drinks through a decree in December 2025 that prohibits their sale in sports clubs, gyms, restaurants, cafes and government institutions. Only cooperative societies and supervised markets may sell the beverages to individuals aged 18 and older, with a daily limit of two cans per person, according to a regulatory overview published by Regs Consultancy. Packaging is required to feature prominent health warnings while all forms of advertising and sponsorship have been banned.
According to the Arab Times, the department’s campaign on that day resulted in summons for a fitness club and a dietary supplement store after they were found in breach of the energy drink sales rules. One fitness club without a valid operating license was ordered to cease operations immediately. The inspections also covered moisturizer and juice shops along with grocery stores in various locations around the country.
A Research and Markets report values Kuwait’s premium sports nutrition retail market at $155 million. The sector has experienced growth amid increasing consumer interest in health and wellness products, including dietary supplements commonly sold in fitness-related stores. The GCC sports nutrition market stood at $743 million in 2025 and is forecast to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 6.86 percent, according to Maximize Market Research.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has conducted several intensified inspection campaigns in recent months to maintain market standards. One such drive in the gold and jewelry sector led to five violation reports being issued toward the end of March, a local media summary from Lexis Middle East indicated. These efforts reflect application of consumer protection measures across different industries, with the digital commerce law enacted in March 2026 adding further requirements for businesses.
The ministry said that inspection campaigns will continue in the period ahead with strict measures applied against any identified violators. The actions on March 29 demonstrate the implementation of the energy drink decree in venues where such products are now prohibited. No additional details about the specific businesses involved were released in the initial report.
Global trends show the sports nutrition market projected to grow from $61.48 billion in 2026 to $113.84 billion by 2033 at a 9.2 percent CAGR, Coherent Market Insights data shows. The local Kuwaiti market forms part of this rising regional interest in health supplements and related services.
