Abu Dhabi has introduced a new regulation that bans outdoor advertisements for unhealthy food and drinks in the city. From now on, billboards, buses, and other public spaces will no longer promote junk food and sugary beverages. These products have been linked to rising health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
The rule applies to all businesses in Abu Dhabi involved in food and beverage advertising, including restaurants, cafes, retailers, and advertisers. Under this policy, only products that meet SEHHI Grades A and B can be advertised in public areas.
SEHHI is a nutritional grading system that helps assess the healthiness of products. The name means “healthy” in Arabic. This initiative was created by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) to promote better eating habits across the emirate.
- Grade A products are the healthiest, with minimal unhealthy ingredients
- Grade B items are still healthy but may have small amounts of less beneficial ingredients
- Grades C, D, and E are considered unhealthy due to high sugar, fats, or sodium
All those ads we see everywhere for fast food, sodas, and snacks are now officially off the table in public spaces in Abu Dhabi. This includes products like sugary sodas, packaged snacks like chips and candy bars, fried fast food like burgers and fries, and high-sugar cereals.
In 2025, the emirate introduced other regulations, such as fines of up to AED 4,000 for unauthorized flyers and posters, as well as similar penalties for illegal satellite dish installations.
