New regulations require hospitality establishments to offer verified nutritious meals, clear allergen information, and transparent calorie labeling.
ABU DHABI : Hospitality establishments across Abu Dhabi will be required to offer healthier food choices, transparent nutritional information, and explicit allergen labeling under new regulatory guidelines taking effect on Oct. 1.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) launched the initiative in partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi to promote public health, combat lifestyle-related diseases, and expand options for health-conscious residents and international visitors.
Under the new policy, hotel restaurants, dining halls, and catering services must integrate balanced meal options into their standard menus. Participating establishments are required to display calorie counts, highlight nutrient-dense dishes, and clearly mark common allergens—including nuts, gluten, dairy, and shellfish—to safeguard guests with dietary restrictions.
To ensure compliance, ADAFSA will conduct inspections and provide technical guidance to hotel culinary teams ahead of the enforcement date. Establishments that meet specific nutritional criteria will receive official recognition, integrating the healthy dining badge into Abu Dhabi’s official tourism and hospitality ratings.
Public health officials noted that the policy aligns with the UAE National Wellbeing Strategy 2031, which aims to reduce non-communicable conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases through preventive lifestyle measures.
