Khaleej Times, 14 August 2026: Starting 1 October 2026, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Tourism and Culture will enforce a new law mandating hotels and licensed food outlets to include healthy food options in their menus, clearly marked with the SEHHI logo.
The regulation requires adult menus to feature at least one healthy choice in each category — appetisers, sides, mains, and desserts — while children’s menus must offer at least half of their items as healthy options. Adult menu items may be adapted into child‑appropriate portions to meet this requirement.
Healthy items must comply with SEHHI nutritional standards, which identify foods lower in fat, sugar, and salt and higher in nutritional value. Establishments must submit menus, recipes, and nutritional data for verification by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre when requested. Any changes to approved items must be re‑validated.
Exemptions apply to buffets, tasting menus, and niche outlets offering limited categories (e.g., hot dogs, ice cream, candy) without seating or written menus. Beverage‑only outlets are also excluded.