Abu Dhabi has banned fast food advertising across the emirate as part of a wide-ranging public health initiative aimed at tackling obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases.
The restrictions have been introduced under the Healthy Living Abu Dhabi programme and apply across public spaces in the emirate. Authorities say the move is designed to encourage residents to make healthier lifestyle choices by reducing exposure to promotions for unhealthy food and beverages.
The advertising ban is part of a broader reform package rolled out this month by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC). The measures include the introduction of Nutri-Mark front-of-pack labels, tighter controls on food marketing, changes to supermarket layouts, expanded community fitness initiatives and stricter nutrition standards in schools and workplaces.
Under the Nutri-Mark system, packaged foods are graded from A, denoting the healthiest options, to E, representing the least healthy, based on their nutritional value.
Supermarkets have also been instructed to remove unhealthy products from high-visibility areas such as store entrances, aisle ends and checkout counters. The changes were recently mandated by the Department of Economic Development.
Earlier this month, officials also began spot-checking children’s school lunches to ensure pupils are eating balanced and nutritious meals.
