Abu Dhabi hotels and restaurants must offer at least one approved healthy item in every menu category, while at least half of children’s-menu items must meet healthier-food criteria.

The details

Abu Dhabi hotels and restaurants must offer at least one approved healthy item in each menu category under a mandate that took effect on 1 October 2026. At least half of the items on children’s menus must meet approved SEHHI criteria, including lower levels of fat, sugar and salt and stronger nutritional value.

The measure forms part of Abu Dhabi’s Healthy Living strategy and is intended to make healthier options part of ordinary dining rather than isolating them in a separate healthy section. Participating hotels have also described a wider move towards vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-alternative choices.

This is relevant to both Food & Drink and Health: it changes what restaurants are required to offer while also changing the food environment around residents and families. The mandate does not remove other menu choices, and individual restaurants may differ in how prominently they present the approved options.