Abu Dhabi has introduced new rules requiring supermarkets to revise the way unhealthy food items are displayed, with retailers expected to complete the changes before the January 1 deadline.
New Abu Dhabi Regulation Requires Supermarkets to Rethink Junk Food Shelf Placement by January 1.
The new measure covers e-commerce grocery platforms, requiring them to reduce the priority placement of food and beverage items with excessive fat, sodium, and sugar content.
Abu Dhabi Introduces New Rules to Limit Prominent Placement of Unhealthy Food Products
Supermarkets operating in Abu Dhabi will need to make changes to the way certain food and beverage items are displayed under a new healthy lifestyle initiative scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027. The policy aims to encourage better food choices by reducing the visibility of products that contain high levels of fat, salt, and sugar.
The initiative, introduced by Healthy Living in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), focuses on changing how high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar (HFSS) products are presented to customers in retail environments.
Under the upcoming requirements, supermarkets will no longer be allowed to place these products in some of the most prominent locations inside stores. Items considered HFSS will need to be moved away from areas that naturally attract customer attention, including entrances, checkout zones, and the ends of shopping aisles where promotional displays are commonly placed.
The policy is designed to reduce the influence of strategic product placement while still allowing consumers who wish to purchase these items to access them. The rules do not ban the sale of HFSS products; instead, they focus on how and where these items are promoted within stores.
The updated requirements will also apply to online grocery platforms. Digital supermarkets will be required to adjust their websites and applications so that unhealthy food and beverage products are not given priority visibility.
Under the new guidelines, HFSS products identified through the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre’s SEHHI classification system will not be allowed to appear prominently on key online sections. This includes homepage features, search result rankings, checkout suggestions, and promotional pop-up advertisements.
By changing the way products are presented online, authorities aim to create a more balanced shopping environment where healthier alternatives receive greater attention and consumers are encouraged to make informed decisions.
For physical stores, the rules will apply to supermarkets with a retail area exceeding 4,000 square feet. These larger outlets typically have extensive product displays and promotional spaces, making them a key focus of the initiative.
Health officials say that food environments can influence purchasing behaviour, particularly when customers are exposed to repeated promotional displays and strategically positioned products. By reducing the prominence of foods high in unhealthy nutrients, the policy seeks to support healthier everyday choices.
Retailers will have time to prepare for the changes before the regulations come into effect. Supermarkets and online platforms are expected to review their current layouts, promotional strategies, and digital shopping systems to ensure compliance with the new standards.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to improve public health and encourage balanced diets across Abu Dhabi. Rather than preventing consumers from buying specific products, the approach focuses on creating an environment where healthier options are easier to notice and choose.
As the implementation date approaches, retailers will need to adapt their operations while continuing to provide customers with a wide range of food and beverage choices. The policy represents another step toward promoting healthier lifestyles through changes in the way food products are marketed and displayed.
Abu Dhabi’s New Food Display Rules Focus on Healthier Shopping Environments
The upcoming policy does not prevent customers from purchasing their preferred snacks, drinks, or other food items. Products classified as high in fat, salt, and sugar will continue to be available in supermarkets, allowing shoppers to make their own choices.
Instead of removing these products from stores, the initiative focuses on changing how they are presented to consumers. By reducing their visibility in key shopping locations, authorities aim to lower the chances of unplanned purchases that often happen when customers encounter heavily promoted items near entrances, checkout areas, or other high-traffic sections.
The approach is designed to create a more balanced retail environment where healthier alternatives receive greater attention. Rather than limiting consumer access, the policy encourages shoppers to consider a wider range of options by changing the way products are arranged and promoted.
Retailers will continue selling a variety of food and beverage products, but certain items will no longer receive priority placement designed to attract immediate attention. The goal is to support informed decision-making while maintaining freedom of choice for customers.
Health officials believe that the design of shopping spaces can influence buying habits. When healthier options are easier to notice and access, consumers may be more likely to include them in their regular purchases. The new guidelines aim to make supermarkets a place where nutritious choices are naturally encouraged.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to promote healthier lifestyles by addressing everyday factors that influence eating patterns. By improving the shopping environment without removing products from shelves, the policy seeks to encourage gradual changes in consumer behaviour.
The focus remains on awareness, accessibility, and responsible choices rather than strict restrictions. Customers will still have the ability to purchase the products they want, while supermarkets will create layouts that give healthier foods a stronger presence.
Through this approach, Abu Dhabi aims to support public health goals while ensuring that consumers continue to enjoy a wide variety of choices when shopping for food and beverages.
‘Not taking away the joy of food or restricting personal choice’
Abu Dhabi Officials Highlight Health Focus Behind New Food Display Initiative
Officials in Abu Dhabi have emphasized that the new supermarket display guidelines are part of a wider effort to support healthier lifestyles while continuing to respect consumer choice.
Mohamed Munif Al Mansoori, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), said the authority is coordinating with relevant organisations to respond to changing consumer needs. He highlighted that protecting public health and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents remain key priorities as the initiative is implemented.
The policy is designed to create a shopping environment that encourages more informed decisions without removing access to existing food products. Authorities said the aim is to improve how choices are presented to shoppers rather than limit what people are able to buy.
Dr Ahmed AlKhazraiji, Executive Director of Healthy Living, explained that the initiative is based on research from behavioural science and evidence collected from real-world health programmes. According to him, the way products are arranged and displayed can influence purchasing habits, especially when customers make quick decisions while shopping.
He said that when shoppers are first presented with healthier alternatives instead of less nutritious products, making a better choice becomes easier and more natural. The initiative aims to support residents by creating an environment where healthier options receive greater attention.
Officials stressed that the changes are not intended to remove popular foods or restrict personal preferences. Products containing higher levels of fat, salt, or sugar will continue to be available for customers who choose to purchase them.
The main adjustment will involve product visibility and placement. By reducing the prominence of certain items in high-traffic areas, the policy seeks to limit automatic or impulse purchases that can occur when products are positioned in highly noticeable locations.
The approach reflects a growing global focus on using retail environments to encourage healthier eating habits. Similar strategies have been introduced in different markets, where changes to product placement and promotion have been used as tools to support public health goals.
Rather than relying only on individual decisions, the initiative recognises that the surrounding environment can influence everyday behaviour. By making healthier options more visible and accessible, authorities hope to help consumers make choices that better support their overall well-being.
Officials also noted that the programme is intended to work alongside public awareness efforts. Providing residents with access to information, while creating supportive shopping environments, can help encourage long-term improvements in eating habits.
The initiative represents a balanced approach that combines health objectives with consumer freedom. Shoppers will continue to have access to a wide variety of products, while supermarkets will adjust their displays to create a more health-conscious retail experience.
Through cooperation between government bodies, retailers, and health organisations, Abu Dhabi aims to develop food environments that support residents in making informed decisions while maintaining the enjoyment and variety associated with everyday food choices.
Retailers implementing policy
Abu Dhabi Retailers Prepare for New Food Placement Standards Under Healthy Living Initiative
The development of Abu Dhabi’s updated food display policy involved close cooperation between Healthy Living, the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), and retail businesses across the emirate. Authorities consulted with industry representatives to ensure that the new requirements could be applied effectively while taking into account the practical needs of supermarkets and grocery operators.
The framework was created by combining local retail insights with lessons learned from international experiences. Officials reviewed examples from other markets where similar measures had been introduced successfully to encourage healthier consumer choices through changes in food placement and promotion.
By working directly with retailers during the preparation stage, authorities aimed to create a policy that supports public health goals while remaining realistic for businesses to implement. The collaboration allowed supermarkets to better understand the upcoming requirements and prepare their operations ahead of the official enforcement date.
Retail companies across Abu Dhabi are now making adjustments to align their stores with the new standards. Some businesses have already completed the required changes as part of their commitment to supporting healthier shopping environments.
Carrefour became one of the first major retailers to implement the updated requirements across its Abu Dhabi outlets before the mandatory deadline. The company’s early adoption reflects its participation in efforts to improve responsible food and beverage presentation practices.
Ahmed Galal Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Holding, said retailers play an important role in influencing everyday consumer experiences. He noted that businesses can contribute to healthier communities by creating environments that make better choices easier for shoppers.
He added that the company is pleased to support Abu Dhabi’s health objectives and has completed the implementation of the Responsible Food and Beverage Placement Standards across Carrefour stores in the emirate.
The new policy forms part of Abu Dhabi’s wider Healthy Living strategy, which focuses on encouraging healthier lifestyles through multiple areas, including food marketing practices and nutrition standards.
Beyond supermarket displays, the broader strategy includes initiatives aimed at promoting responsible advertising of food and beverages, as well as improving the quality of meals provided in educational institutions. These measures are designed to address different aspects of daily life that influence dietary habits.
The initiative also follows commitments from local food producers to improve the nutritional quality of their products. Al Ain Farms Group recently announced efforts to reduce sugar content across its range of items, supporting wider objectives to encourage healthier consumption patterns.
Through cooperation between government authorities, retailers, manufacturers, and health organisations, Abu Dhabi is building a comprehensive approach to improving the food environment. The focus is on encouraging positive choices while allowing consumers to continue accessing a wide variety of products.
The policy highlights the role of partnerships in achieving public health goals. By involving businesses in the process, authorities aim to create sustainable changes that benefit both consumers and the retail sector over the long term.
Abu Dhabi schools ban junk food
Abu Dhabi Strengthens School Nutrition Rules to Encourage Healthier Eating Habits Among Students
Abu Dhabi has introduced stricter measures to improve the quality of food available in educational settings, with schools and learning institutions required to follow healthier nutrition standards for students. The initiative aims to create an environment where children have easier access to balanced and nutritious food choices during the school day.
Under the updated guidelines, schools across the emirate are required to remove unhealthy food items from canteens and food service areas. The objective is to reduce children’s exposure to products considered high in unhealthy ingredients and encourage habits that support long-term health and well-being.
The policy places emphasis on creating a safe and supportive food environment within schools. Educational institutions are expected to offer meal options that meet health standards while helping students understand the importance of making better dietary decisions.
Schools must follow specific recommendations when planning menus, selecting food suppliers, and providing meals or snacks. The guidelines encourage institutions to focus on nutritious options that contribute to children’s growth, development, and overall wellness.
The nutrition framework also covers different sources of food available to students, including meals provided by schools, food brought from home, and items shared during special occasions or celebrations. By addressing all these areas, authorities aim to ensure consistent healthy practices throughout the school community.
The initiative is designed not only to improve daily food choices but also to help reduce potential health risks linked to unhealthy eating patterns. Developing positive habits at an early age can support children’s physical development and encourage healthier lifestyles as they grow.
Early Education Institutions (EEIs) in Abu Dhabi have also been instructed to follow the food and nutrition requirements introduced by the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). These rules apply to younger children and focus on ensuring that early learning environments support healthy eating from the beginning of a child’s education journey.
As part of the policy, schools are expected to involve parents in discussions and decisions related to children’s nutrition. Families play an important role in reinforcing healthy habits at home, and cooperation between schools and parents is considered essential for the success of the programme.
Educational institutions are required to clearly communicate which food and beverage items are not permitted on school premises. Schools must ensure that teachers, staff members, students, and parents understand the requirements and follow the established guidelines.
To maintain compliance, schools are also expected to introduce monitoring procedures. Regular checks and review systems will help ensure that food policies are being followed and that students continue to receive healthier options.
Authorities believe that improving the school food environment can have a positive impact beyond the classroom. By encouraging nutritious choices and reducing access to unhealthy products, schools can help children develop better eating behaviours that may continue into adulthood.
The policy forms part of Abu Dhabi’s wider public health efforts aimed at promoting healthier communities. Through cooperation between schools, parents, and education authorities, the initiative seeks to make healthy eating a normal and accessible part of students’ everyday lives.
By establishing clear nutrition standards and encouraging responsible food practices, Abu Dhabi aims to support the well-being of young residents while creating educational environments that prioritize health alongside learning.
