Starting October 1, 2026, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism will implement a new regulation requiring hotels and tourism-licensed food outlets to prioritize healthier menu options. Under these guidelines, establishments must include at least one SEHHI-compliant dish—focused on lower fat, sugar, and salt content—across all menu categories, including appetizers, mains, and desserts. Children’s menus face even stricter requirements, with at least 50% of the offerings needing to meet these nutritional standards. To assist diners, all healthy selections must be clearly marked with the official SEHHI logo, and businesses may be asked to provide nutritional data or recipes to the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre to verify compliance.

While the policy is broad, it provides specific exemptions for certain dining models, such as tasting menus, buffets, and niche stalls that lack seating or offer limited product ranges. This initiative is part of a larger, ongoing effort by the emirate to improve public health, following similar mandates for supermarkets to move junk food away from checkout counters and the introduction of strict nutrition policies in early education institutions. By integrating these standards into the hospitality sector, Abu Dhabi is continuing its push to reduce health risks and encourage residents and visitors alike to adopt better dietary habits across the city.