Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Feb 12: In 2026, schools across the United Arab Emirates are stepping up efforts to limit sugary foods, fizzy drinks, and highly processed snacks on campus, aiming to improve children’s health, classroom behaviour, and long-term well-being. Education and health authorities have urged parents to carefully monitor lunchboxes, while school administrators are actively enforcing the new rules.
Under the updated guidelines, students are prohibited from bringing or consuming items such as candies, marshmallows, cupcakes, chocolate products, fizzy drinks of any kind, coloured or flavoured chips, and energy or sports drinks containing added sugar or stimulants. These measures are based on research linking high sugar intake and ultra-processed foods to hyperactivity, poor concentration, disruptive behaviour, and academic challenges, as well as longer-term risks like obesity, dental issues, and metabolic problems.
Enforcement goes beyond recommendations. Many schools now routinely check students’ lunchboxes to ensure compliance, and unhealthy foods are banned not only from school canteens but also from deliveries during school hours. In place of sugary snacks and beverages, schools encourage water, unsweetened drinks, fruits, whole-grain items, and other healthier alternatives. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has even introduced a detailed “Red List” of prohibited foods and conducts spot checks to monitor adherence.
The UAE’s initiative reflects broader global concerns about childhood nutrition. Rising rates of obesity and diet-related illnesses worldwide have been linked to the availability and consumption of sugary and processed foods. Within the UAE, education and health authorities are increasingly integrating nutrition education into school programs and working closely with parents to promote healthier lifestyles.
Parents are advised to pack balanced meals including fruits, vegetables, whole-grain sandwiches, and unsweetened drinks while avoiding soda, sweets, and processed snacks. School food vendors must comply with strict nutrition standards, and online food deliveries during school hours are generally banned to reduce students’ access to unhealthy options. Studies show that poor diet quality can negatively affect memory, attention, and behaviour in classroom settings, ultimately impacting learning outcomes.
By tightening controls on what students eat during school hours, UAE authorities aim to cultivate healthy habits early, enhance academic performance, and reduce future health risks associated with poor diet. This health-first approach is part of a wider shift in 2026 toward safer, healthier school environments, combining education, policy, and community cooperation to foster long-term well-being.
Through these measures, UAE schools are promoting a culture of healthy eating that supports both physical and cognitive development, offering a potential model for child nutrition initiatives across the Gulf region.