# Abu Dhabi junk-food placement restrictions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/abu-dhabi-junkfood-placement-restrictions
> Updated: 2026-08-14T12:04:34.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026, Abu Dhabi’s Healthy Living programme began directing supermarkets to remove unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks from high-traffic “temptation zones” such as store entrances, aisle ends, and checkout counters. The initiative also broadened the front-of-pack Nutri-Mark grading system (A–E) and promoted the TAMM app for shoppers to access nutritional information on unlabelled items.

A week later, the programme announced a formal rule that will take effect on 1 January 2027. All supermarkets and grocery retailers larger than 4,000 sq ft must cease displaying high-fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS) foods and drinks in prominent locations, including online platforms such as homepages or search results. The regulation, backed by the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), the Department of Health, and several other government bodies, does not ban the products but aims to make healthier options the default choice through behavioural science.

As the deadline approaches, retailers including Choithrams are already reviewing store layouts and merchandising strategies to replace unhealthy impulse buys with healthier alternatives. These retailers must adjust both physical store configurations and digital interfaces to comply with the new standards, which utilize the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre’s SEHHI classification system.

## Claims

- Abu Dhabi will implement a policy restricting placement of high‑fat, salt and sugar foods in supermarkets and online from 1 January 2027. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The policy also applies to online grocery platforms, limiting prominence of HFSS products on homepages, search results, pop‑ups and checkout pages. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The policy does not ban the sale of HFSS products; they remain available in regular aisles and online listings. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The policy applies to physical supermarkets larger than 4,000 square feet. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Healthy Living launched the policy in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA) and other local health agencies. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Mohamed Munif Al Mansoori is Director‑General of ADRA and said the initiative reflects the emirate’s commitment to consumer well‑being. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Dr Ahmed AlKhazraiji is Executive Director of Healthy Living and said the approach is based on behavioural science to make healthier choices the default. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-14: Abu Dhabi retailers prepare for new unhealthy food display rules

Abu Dhabi retailers are adjusting store layouts to comply with upcoming 2027 rules restricting the display of unhealthy foods, while the UAE ministry urges households to reduce food waste.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/abu-dhabi-retailers-prepare-for-new-unhealthy-food-display-rules

### 2026-07-30: Abu Dhabi bans junk‑food placement at supermarket entrances, checkouts from 2027

From 1 Jan 2027 Abu Dhabi will bar high‑fat, salt and sugar foods from supermarket entrances, checkout areas and prominent online spots, though the items will stay on regular shelves.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/abu-dhabi-bans-prime-placement-of-unhealthy-foods-in-stores-and-online

### 2026-07-23: Abu Dhabi supermarkets remove junk food from high‑traffic zones

Abu Dhabi’s Healthy Living programme orders supermarkets to pull junk food from entrance, aisle ends and checkout areas, adding Nutri‑Mark labels and a TAMM app to guide healthier choices.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/abu-dhabi-supermarkets-remove-junk-food-from-hightraffic-zones

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Cite as: Abu Dhabi junk-food placement restrictions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/abu-dhabi-junkfood-placement-restrictions