Allergy-causing foods and delivery services banned in Abu Dhabi schools

Sheikha Al Naqbi, Staff Reporter

The recently approved policy for healthy eating and food safety in Abu Dhabi schools, endorsed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), forbids the ingestion or distribution of unsafe foods, including those containing allergens (such as nuts), within school premises. Additionally, students are prohibited from utilising external food delivery services during school hours.

The recently implemented policy, which took effect at the commencement of the current academic year, stipulates that educational institutions are obliged to adhere to six fundamental tenets pertaining to the provision of nutritionally sound and environmentally sustainable food systems. These tenets are as follows: (The aforementioned requirements pertain to the provision of healthy food and food safety, the promotion of healthy nutrition and food services, the establishment of special accounts, sustainability, and compliance).

The following five actions are mandatory: The commitment to providing healthy food options, encouragement of healthy and sustainable meal practices, adherence to the hygiene and food safety standards set out in the Abu Dhabi Food Guidelines, which are distributed to educational institutions, and identification of measures for joint school events to ensure the prohibition of certain harmful food items. Additionally, identification of measures the school takes to promote minority inclusion, and the safety of students with allergies and food intolerances are also required. The policy will be made available on the school's website for perusal by staff, students, suppliers and parents.

Furthermore, ADEK stated that food services are required to adhere to the standards set forth in the Abu Dhabi Guide for Food Traded in Educational Institutions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Federal Law No. (10) of 2015 regarding food safety in the provision of food services and food delivery services. It is also prohibited for students to utilize external food delivery services during school hours. Additionally, students are to be involved in the planning process and improvement of school food services (with forms).

The policy emphasised the necessity for educational institutions to implement measures to support students with allergies in accordance with the Abu Dhabi Food Guidelines. This entailed maintaining records of students with allergies, ensuring that food labels provide warnings about allergens, and requesting that parents inform the school immediately if their child develops an allergy and provide appropriate medication to the school.

Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge building in Abu Dhabi. File photo

It also pointed out that educational institutions should devise a strategy to bolster the sustainability of their food services and advance sustainable meal practices in alignment with the ADEK's policy in schools. Such initiatives may include the provision of sustainable meals and food products (such as vegetarian, locally-made products and those with a low carbon footprint), the reduction and management of waste, including the reduction and management of the packaging process, and the promotion of sustainable practices among staff, students and parents (including the reduction of food waste, recycling and the avoidance of single-use packaging).

ADEK also indicated that this policy is to be implemented from the inaugural semester of the 2024/2025 academic year, with the expectation that all educational institutions will attain complete compliance by the commencement of the 2025/2026 academic year, specifically the first semester. Failure to comply with this policy will result in the school being held legally accountable and subject to penalties as outlined in the regulations, policies, and requirements set forth by the department. This is in addition to any penalties imposed by Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021 on crimes and penalties and its amendments, or any other relevant legislation.