The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has declared that early childhood education centers are not allowed to use food as a way to discipline or reward children. This new rule must be clearly stated in each school’s food and nutrition policy.
ADEK explained that all food and drinks served, brought from home, or consumed during special school events must not harm the health, safety, or development of students. In line with this, schools must maintain a list of banned foods and beverages which covers 13 main categories.
The list bans sugary soft drinks, energy and sports beverages (except isotonic sports drinks), and any drinks with caffeine like hot or iced coffee and tea. Foods with added sugar, such as all types of sweets made with sugar and colorings—like marshmallows, caramel, cotton candy, lollipops, jelly, sugar tablets, chewing gum, chocolate except dark chocolate, ice cream, and slushies—are not allowed. Flavored or sweetened milk or yogurt with high salt content is also on the banned list.
Additionally, all fried foods—including fried chicken, falafel, and samosas—fried and baked chips made from potatoes or corn, highly processed meats like sausages, mortadella, and hot dogs, and pickles are banned. Items containing artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, or monosodium glutamate (MSG) are prohibited, along with foods containing additives such as Sunset yellow (E110), Quinoline yellow (E104), Carmoisine (E122), Allura red (E129), Tartrazine (E102), and Ponceau 4R (E124).
Sauces such as mayonnaise, chili sauce, ketchup (with added salt and sugar), and certain store-bought sauces like ranch and jalapeño are not allowed either.
The banned food list also includes items with pork or alcohol, those with hydrogenated fats, honey for infants under 12 months, unpasteurized foods or drinks, soy milk, sauces with soy, nuts, and anything that could be a choking risk.
ADEK requires schools to inform both parents and staff clearly about the full list of banned items. The main goal of this policy is to create healthy standards for food and nutrition in early childhood education and to encourage parents to join in decisions about the food their children eat.
ADEK stressed that schools must monitor foods and drinks served every day. Schools must also provide clean, safe drinking water for children free of cost at all times.
