Healthy options mandatory in eateries at Abu Dhabi healthcare facilities

abu dhabi — Healthy meal selections must be provided in all cafeterias, vending machines and restaurants at healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi, beginning from November 29, authorities announced on Tuesday. The Department of Health — Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate, has made it mandatory that healthcare facilities in the Capital must provide healthy meal selections for visitors.

The DoH has also called for eliminating unhealthy fast food, soft drinks and junk food options on regular meals to visitors, patients and staff.

The initiative is part of the DoH’s continued efforts to minimise the rise of chronic diseases caused by unhealthy food habits among locals and residents.

The Weqaya programme was developed in close collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) and the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council. Dr Omniyat Al Hajri, director, public health division at the DoH, said: “The department of health has begun to actively engage with representatives from the Industrial Development Bureau, various public and private healthcare facilities and expert nutritionists.”

The DoH has begun to engage with representatives from public and private healthcare facilities.”

Dr Omniyat Al Hajri, official, DoH