From 1 October 2026, restaurants in Abu Dhabi hotels and tourist areas must give diners healthier choices. The rule, enforced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), follows a three-month grace period that started on 1 July.
The rules
- At least one healthy item in every menu category — starters, mains, desserts and so on.
- At least 50% of children’s menu items must be healthy.
- Healthy items must meet ADPHC’s SEHHI criteria (lower in fat, sugar and salt, higher in nutrition) and carry the SEHHI logo.
What it means for you
If you eat out: look for the SEHHI logo to find lighter dishes, especially on kids’ menus. If you run or plan a café in an Abu Dhabi hotel or tourist area: build SEHHI-compliant dishes into your menu from day one. Hotel operators quoted by The National said guests had already been asking for healthier options. Abu Dhabi also plans restrictions on how supermarkets display junk food from 2027.
Planning a food business? Read our guide to starting a small café or shop in UAE community markets.
Common questions
Does the Abu Dhabi healthy menu rule apply to all restaurants?
It applies to restaurants in hotels and tourist areas in Abu Dhabi, enforced by the Department of Culture and Tourism with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.
What is SEHHI?
SEHHI is the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre’s healthy food classification. Dishes that meet its criteria carry the SEHHI logo on menus.
Published 1 October 2026, based on The National (1 October 2026) and Gulf News.
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