Schools that provide food services to employees and children must serve wholesome, nutrient-dense cuisine. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) also says they have to keep inspection records and notices and have the necessary permits.
The education department's new policy, which went into effect for the 2024–2025 school year, mandates that schools actively promote wholesome food choices while also creating a safe and healthy eating environment. The strategy provides precise instructions for offering wholesome and sustainable food options.
According to the policy, schools must implement strategies to actively monitor pupils during mealtimes and snacks in order to:
- Make sure that students are eating items that are appropriate for them (e.g., not bringing allergens that may hurt other children, etc.).
- Unless they are fasting, make sure every student has access to food every day.
- Should use caution when it comes to behavior related to food (eating disorders, bullying related to food, etc.)
Schools are required to make certain culinary products, like alcohol, fizzy drinks, meat, and foods containing allergies, forbidden during activities.
The school must make sure that dangerous foods, like those that include allergies (like nuts), are not allowed for distribution or personal use on school property while fostering a healthy eating culture.
Parents should be given information by schools about balanced, healthful eating, including dietary restrictions. The "unhealthy" foods—like fried foods—that the school recommends parents not to pack should be highlighted in these guidelines. Long-term health problems like obesity, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes, among others, can be exacerbated by these foods.
It is necessary to ban outside food delivery services like Talabat and Deliveroo during school hours in order to keep an eye on the safety and nutritional content of the food that pupils eat.
