Abu Dhabi, UAE: Healthy Living, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), has introduced a new policy requiring supermarkets to reposition high-fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) food and beverage products away from high-visibility areas, including store entrances, checkout counters and online homepages.

The policy, which becomes mandatory on 1 January 2027, aims to make healthier choices easier without restricting consumer access to products. It was developed with the support of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, and Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.

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His Excellency Mohamed Munif Al Mansoori, Director General of ADRA, said: “As Abu Dhabi continues to cement its status as a prominent global business, investment, and economic hub, we remain committed to ensuring that this success is supported by an environment where people can live, work, invest, and thrive. To this end, we are working closely with relevant entities to meet the growing demands of consumers, placing their health, safety, and well-being at the top of our priorities. Our collaboration with Healthy Living reflects a shared commitment to making healthier choices easier and accessible for all consumers. In addition to ensuring compliance of commercial entities with regulations and standards, we also deliver awareness campaigns that empower consumers to make more informed decisions and better understand the choices available to them in the market.”

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His Excellency Dr Ahmed AlKhazraiji, Executive Director of Healthy Living, said: “In Abu Dhabi, our commitment to prevention as the foundation of a healthier society is what Healthy Living was built on, and this policy is a direct reflection of that. Our approach is rooted in behavioural science and real-world evidence, and interventions like this have delivered measurable results globally. When the products consumers encounter first are not the least nutritious options, healthier choices become the natural default – empowering people to make better decisions.“

The standards apply to supermarkets larger than 4,000 square feet and their online platforms. Carrefour has already implemented the new requirements across its Abu Dhabi stores ahead of the compliance deadline.