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Abu Dhabi junk-food placement restrictions
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2026-08-01 08:16 UTC → 2026-08-16 10:09 UTC ·
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Abu Dhabi junk‑food junk-food placement restrictions
In late July 2026 2026, Abu Dhabi’s Healthy Living programme began directing supermarkets to remove unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks from high‑traffic high-traffic “temptation zones” such as store entrances, aisle ends ends, and checkout counters. The initiative also broadened the front‑of‑pack Nutri‑Mark front-of-pack Nutri-Mark grading system (A‑E) (A–E) and promoted the TAMM app for shoppers to access nutritional information on unlabelled items, with residents noting the visible changes made healthier choices easier. items. A week later 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 high-fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS) foods and drinks in the same prominent locations, including online platforms. platforms such as homepages or search results. The regulation, backed by the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority and (ADRA), the Department of Health, and several other government bodies, does not ban the products but aims to make healthier options the default choice. Retailers have several months 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 layouts configurations and digital interfaces before compliance is required. The mandatory policy was developed jointly by Healthy Living, the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority, the Department of Economic Development’s regulatory arm, to comply with the Department of Health, new standards, which utilize the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, the Quality and Conformity Council and the Agriculture and Food Safety Authority. Mohamed Munif Al Mansoori, ADRA Director‑General, said the move reflects the emirate’s commitment to consumer well‑being, while Dr Ahmed AlKhazraiji, Executive Director of Healthy Living, highlighted its basis in behavioural science to make healthier choices the default option for shoppers. Centre’s SEHHI classification system.
Versions
- 2026-08-16 10:09 UTC Abu Dhabi junk-food placement restrictions
- 2026-08-01 08:16 UTC Abu Dhabi junk‑food placement restrictions
- 2026-08-01 04:36 UTC Abu Dhabi junk‑food placement restrictions
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