New School Food Guidelines 2025-2026 Autumn Term
- Petra
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
For many students, school break time has always meant a quick trip to the canteen for chips or a fizzy drink. However, that routine is beginning to change. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has introduced stricter food regulations in schools, placing a wide range of popular items on what is now known as the “Red List.”
The aim is to encourage healthier eating habits among students. Under the new guidance, foods high in fat and sugar are no longer allowed on school premises. This includes fried items such as samosas, along with snacks like chips and cakes. Soft drinks, even diet versions, have been banned, as well as caffeinated beverages. Processed foods such as deli meats, products containing artificial colouring or preservatives, soy products, and even certain dressings and nuts have also made the list. However, the Red List is not fixed - it may be updated as nutritional standards change. For this reason, I advise anyone reading this blog to check the official ADEK nutritional policy linked at the bottom.
Importantly, the regulation does not only apply to school canteens. It also extends to food brought from home. This means that parents packing lunchboxes must ensure the contents comply with the new standards. While ADEK has not yet clearly outlined specific guidelines for non-compliance in this case, it is expected that schools will first handle any concerns directly with families. As with other school regulations, ADEK may reserve the right to impose fines if necessary. In practice, the rules appear to be mainly directed at school food suppliers and canteen operators, who will need to review their menus carefully. Popular snack items that were once common may now need to be replaced with healthier alternatives.
As with many education policies in the emirate, the regulation applies specifically to Ministry of Education and MoE-curriculum schools. Students at private schools are not affected. However, there are chances that the schools will independently update their restrictions to reflect this, as the guidelines are based off nutritional research on the best foods for child development.
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