Abu Dhabi’s education authorities are taking a firm stand on student health with new, stricter guidelines that ban a broad range of foods and drinks from schools. The move, led by the Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek), is designed to promote healthy habits and support children’s well-being from their earliest years.
The new rules apply to all Early Education Institutions (EEIs) in the emirate and cover not just meals provided by schools, but also food brought from home and items shared during celebrations. Schools are now required to clearly communicate and enforce a list of banned items, ensuring everyone in the school community is on the same page.
So, what’s off the menu?
Banned drinks:
- Sugar-sweetened and caffeinated beverages, such as soft drinks, energy and sports drinks (except approved isotonic options), fruit juices made from syrups, and all forms of coffee and tea.
Foods with added sugars:
- Candy, marshmallows, lollipops, jelly, chewing gum, most chocolates (aside from dark chocolate), ice cream and frozen desserts, slushies, and sweetened milk or yogurt.
Salty and fatty foods:
- Fried chicken, chicken nuggets, falafel, samosas, French fries, potato chips, puffed corn snacks, processed meats like hotdogs and sausages, and pickled vegetables.
Ultra-processed foods:
- Items with artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colours, or flavours, those containing added MSG, and foods with certain additives (like E110, E102, E122, E129). Regular mayonnaise, chilli sauces, ketchup (unless it’s low-salt/low-sugar), and ready-made dressings are also out.
Other restricted items:
- Pork products, foods with alcohol or hydrogenated fats, soy milk and soy-based sauces, nuts, unpasteurised food or drinks, honey for infants under 12 months, and anything that could pose a choking hazard.
To ensure compliance, every school must designate a staff member—often a nurse or health and safety officer—to regularly check for banned foods. Any violations are logged, and repeated breaches can lead to corrective action or even legal consequences as per UAE law.
Adek’s policy doesn’t just focus on banning the wrong foods—it encourages age-appropriate nutrition, safe bottle-feeding, regular growth checks, and a positive food environment. Notably, food should never be used as a reward or punishment.
By formalising these rules, Abu Dhabi hopes to foster healthier school environments and help children develop nutritious habits that will last a lifetime.