Abu Dhabi has announced a major ban on outdoor advertising of junk food, sugar-heavy products and unhealthy beverages as part of a wide-ranging public health initiative aimed at reducing obesity, diabetes and other diet-related diseases, The Times of India reported.
The decision, introduced under the Healthy Living Abu Dhabi programme led by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, is intended to limit the visibility of fast food and other products high in sugar, fat, salt and calories in public spaces. Officials said the move is designed to encourage healthier food choices and reduce long-term strain on the healthcare system.
Under the new rules, products that exceed strict nutritional limits cannot be advertised outdoors. This includes promotions on billboards, digital screens, street furniture and transport shelters. Only foods and beverages classified as Grade A or B under Abu Dhabi’s Nutri-Mark system will be allowed in outdoor advertisements, and even these must meet detailed content standards.
The policy forms part of a broader effort to reshape the food environment, including how food is marketed, displayed and consumed in everyday life. Officials say reducing exposure to advertisements for sugar-rich and unhealthy products can help lower impulse purchases and support better eating habits. The programme’s executive director, Ahmed Al Khazraji, said the aim is not to blame individuals but to create surroundings that make healthy choices easier.
Key measures include a full outdoor advertising ban for lower-rated products under the SEHHI nutrition grading system, front-of-pack Nutri-Mark labels that rank products from A (most nutritious) to E (least healthy), restrictions on brand-only advertisements for unhealthy items, and alignment with supermarket layout rules and school nutrition standards. The initiative also includes community fitness programmes and expanded public health awareness campaigns.
Health officials said research shows that exposure to food advertising, especially for high-fat, salt and sugar products, influences consumption patterns, particularly among children and adolescents. By limiting such advertising in public spaces, authorities aim to reduce the normalisation of unhealthy diets and support long-term improvements in public health.
The policy will require food and beverage companies to adjust their outdoor marketing strategies, as traditional platforms such as billboards and street displays can no longer be used to promote products that do not meet the required standards. Businesses may need to shift to other permitted channels or reformulate products to qualify under the Nutri-Mark system.
While some experts say advertising bans work best when combined with broader measures such as nutrition education and better access to healthy foods, officials describe the initiative as an important step toward creating healthier public environments and reducing diet-related illnesses in the emirate.
