ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi has issued Circular No. 7/2026 requiring hotel restaurants and eligible food and beverage outlets with valid tourism licences to provide a minimum number of healthy food options.
Under the new requirements, adult menus must include at least one healthy option in every menu category, such as main courses, appetisers, sides and desserts.
These items must meet the approved SEHHI nutritional standards developed by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, which identify foods that are lower in fat, sugar and salt and higher in nutritional value.
Children's menus face a stricter requirement, with at least 50 percent of all listed items required to qualify as healthy under the SEHHI criteria.
Hotels may adapt healthy adult dishes into smaller, child-appropriate portions where suitable. Healthy dishes must be clearly identified on menus using the approved SEHHI logo.
The policy applies to hotel-operated and independent food and beverage outlets holding a tourism licence, with exemptions for certain service models. These include buffets and other venues without a specific menu, tasting menus with predetermined selections, and certain niche outlets offering no more than three food categories, no seating and no written menu beyond signage or display boards.
Beverage-only outlets are also excluded.
Establishments may be required to submit menus, recipes and nutritional information for compliance checks.
Restaurants already working with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre to verify healthy menu items will be considered compliant during the verification process if they demonstrate progress.
Restaurants must also maintain the required number of healthy options whenever menus are updated. Any changes to previously approved healthy dishes must be resubmitted for validation.
The circular states that failure to comply may result in administrative penalties under applicable regulations and resolutions.
The new rule is effective from July 1, 2026, with a three‑month implementation grace period shall apply.
During this period, hotel and tourism establishments will be afforded sufficient time to adapt and implement the requirements set out in the circular without being subject to administrative penalties.
Full compliance and enforcement shall apply from October 1, 2026.
The policy is intended to expand access to healthier food choices across Abu Dhabi's hotel and tourism sector while supporting public health and sustainable tourism practices.