Abu Dhabi Mandates Healthy Menu Options Across Hotels and Tourist Spots

Restaurants in hotels and tourist areas across Abu Dhabi are now required to offer a minimum number of healthy menu options under a new mandate that takes effect on Thursday. Enforced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, the regulation dictates that every menu category must feature at least one healthy item adhering to the approved SEHHI criteria. These SEHHI foods are characterized by low levels of fat, sugar, and salt, along with higher nutritional value. Furthermore, children's menus must ensure that at least half of all listed items meet these healthy standards.

Establishments were given a three-month grace period following the implementation start date on July 1 to adjust their offerings. According to a circular released by the DCT in June, healthy menu items must be clearly identified using the approved SEHHI logo in accordance with ADPHC guidelines. This regulatory shift aligns with a broader trend to prioritize healthier choices in daily life, which includes upcoming supermarket regulations starting January 1 to remove junk food from high-volume areas, alongside last year's public advertising restrictions on junk food and unhealthy beverages.

As part of its ongoing Healthy Living Abu Dhabi initiative launched last year, the Department of Health aims to prevent diseases, improve resident well-being, and provide community education through food labels and exercise programs. Major hospitality operators are already adapting to this wellness shift. Accor, which operates Abu Dhabi hotels such as Rixos, Fairmont, Sofitel, and Novotel, has introduced its Plant Forward project to prioritize vegetables, grains, and whole foods while keeping meat, fish, and dairy in moderation. Victoria Sertic, senior vice president of brand loyalty at Accor, noted that the initiative gives chefs a creative canvas to deliver delicious dishes that consumers actively choose for flavor as well as wellness.

The Radisson Hotel Group is similarly expanding its menus to cater to health-conscious guests. Joseph Chalfoun, the group's area restaurants and bars director for the Middle East, Africa, South-East Asia-Pacific, India, and Greece, emphasized that the changes formalize what guests have been seeking, including revamped breakfast standards, increased vegetarian and vegan options, and healthier children's menus moving away from traditional nuggets and fries.