Public and private schools across the UAE, particularly in Abu Dhabi, have reiterated a ban on nine categories of food items that students are not permitted to bring from home, as part of a nationwide effort to promote healthy lifestyles within the educational environment. The initiative aims to combat childhood obesity, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve students’ concentration and academic performance.
The prohibited items include processed meats such as sausages, burgers and mortadella due to their high saturated fat and sodium content. Instant noodles have also been banned because of excessive salt and industrial fats. Other restricted foods include packaged chocolate bars, sweets such as lollipops and flavoured popcorn, chocolate spreads high in sugar and fat, peanuts and peanut-based products to prevent allergy risks, carbonated beverages and energy drinks, cream-covered cakes and doughnuts, and fried potatoes and potato chips.
School administrations emphasised that these foods negatively affect students’ health, activity levels and learning outcomes. In contrast, school canteens offer a wide range of healthy alternatives, including fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, natural juices with no added sugar, baked pastries, and healthy sandwiches at affordable prices.
Schools have called on parents to cooperate by providing balanced, nutritious meals for their children, stressing that healthy eating habits support physical growth, mental development, immunity, and long-term wellbeing. Administrations noted that a complete and nutritious school meal plays a vital role in enhancing focus, behaviour, and participation in both academic and extracurricular activities.
