Abu Dhabi, December 14, 2023: The Standard Technical Committee for Abu Dhabi Technical Standards adopted Abu Dhabi’s food classification technical standards for marketing children's food during the third quarter of 2023. The committee's adoption, which includes 36 members representing 22 government entities, was based on a request submitted by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority.
The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority presided over a working group that included the Department of Health, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, the Department of Economic Development, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, and the Bureau of Genome and Health Affairs.
The standards were developed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, the best international practices, and the latest studies and research regarding nutrition and food marketing for children, with the participation of academics from the UAE University and Oxford University. They have been adapted to suit the local context, food habits, and consumer culture.
The standards aim to reduce the impact of unhealthy food marketing on children's health, which affects their behaviors and food choices. Applying these standards in the long run will certainly have a positive impact by changing children's eating habits and reducing high obesity rates. The standards also aim to guide advertisers to promote healthy food choices and raise awareness about the importance of children's health and public health among food manufacturers and establishments.
The new standards, serving as a reference for policymakers, plans, and programs for promoting children’s food, will encourage manufacturers and restaurants to improve the nutritional content of food products.
H.E. Engineer Bader Khamis Alshemaili, Executive Director of the Conformity and Standards Programs Services Sector at the council and Chairman of the Permanent Technical Committee for Abu Dhabi Technical Standards, said: "The Permanent Committee's outputs align with the council's efforts to achieve its vision of upgrading the quality infrastructure and contributing to enabling the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to stand out globally, thereby enhancing the culture of quality and supporting industrial and economic development."
"Holding this meeting comes as a complement to the continuous efforts exerted by the council to involve all concerned parties from the government and private sectors in the development of technical documents that meet regulatory requirements and achieve the desired value for the entities and society as a whole," he added.
He explained that the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council is working on updating technical documents periodically and continuously to ensure they continue to meet the needs of relevant partners in the Emirate in light of changes, developments, and innovations in all areas requiring a rapid response and flexibility in the preparation of the standards system.
For his part, H.E. Engineer Thamer Rashid Al Qasimi, Executive Director of the Special Projects and Partnerships Sector at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, praised the efforts of the Permanent Technical Committee for Abu Dhabi Technical Standards and its adoption of the Abu Dhabi Technical Standards for food classification for marketing food to children. He pointed out that these standards represent an important milestone in promoting the health and proper nutrition of children in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Stressing the importance of manufacturers and food establishments adhering to these standards and improving the nutritional content of products marketed to children, Al Qasimi also praised the educational role in guiding advertisers to promote healthy food choices and raising awareness among companies concerned about the importance of children's health and public health.
"We are committed at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority to cooperate with various partners to continue efforts to reduce the problem of obesity among children and promote public health and proper nutrition in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through the development of policies, services, and programs that enhance the efforts of parents and caregivers to ensure the healthy growth of children and achieve their well-being," Al Qasimi added.
Al Qasimi pointed out the crucial role of parents and society in promoting awareness of healthy nutrition and healthy choices and verifying the adoption of healthy eating and consumption habits for children and all family members. The authority is keen, in cooperation with its partners, to implement various awareness campaigns and activities in this regard.
H.E. Engineer Bader Khamis Alshemaili, Chairman of the Technical Committee, extended his thanks and appreciation to all members for their efforts and contributions in preparing these essential standards. He also stressed the importance of applying these standards and the need for continued joint work between the government and private sectors."
The standards were developed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, the best international practices, and the latest studies and research regarding nutrition and food marketing for children, with the participation of academics from the UAE University and Oxford University. They have been adapted to suit the local context, food habits, and consumer culture.
The standards aim to reduce the impact of unhealthy food marketing on children's health, which affects their behaviors and food choices. Applying these standards in the long run will certainly have a positive impact by changing children's eating habits and reducing high obesity rates. The standards also aim to guide advertisers to promote healthy food choices and raise awareness about the importance of children's health and public health among food manufacturers and establishments.
The new standards, serving as a reference for policymakers, plans, and programs for promoting children’s food, will encourage manufacturers and restaurants to improve the nutritional content of food products.
H.E. Engineer Bader Khamis Alshemaili, Executive Director of the Conformity and Standards Programs Services Sector at the council and Chairman of the Permanent Technical Committee for Abu Dhabi Technical Standards, said: "The Permanent Committee's outputs align with the council's efforts to achieve its vision of upgrading the quality infrastructure and contributing to enabling the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to stand out globally, thereby enhancing the culture of quality and supporting industrial and economic development."
"Holding this meeting comes as a complement to the continuous efforts exerted by the council to involve all concerned parties from the government and private sectors in the development of technical documents that meet regulatory requirements and achieve the desired value for the entities and society as a whole," he added.
He explained that the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council is working on updating technical documents periodically and continuously to ensure they continue to meet the needs of relevant partners in the Emirate in light of changes, developments, and innovations in all areas requiring a rapid response and flexibility in the preparation of the standards system.
For his part, H.E. Engineer Thamer Rashid Al Qasimi, Executive Director of the Special Projects and Partnerships Sector at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, praised the efforts of the Permanent Technical Committee for Abu Dhabi Technical Standards and its adoption of the Abu Dhabi Technical Standards for food classification for marketing food to children. He pointed out that these standards represent an important milestone in promoting the health and proper nutrition of children in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Stressing the importance of manufacturers and food establishments adhering to these standards and improving the nutritional content of products marketed to children, Al Qasimi also praised the educational role in guiding advertisers to promote healthy food choices and raising awareness among companies concerned about the importance of children's health and public health.
"We are committed at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority to cooperate with various partners to continue efforts to reduce the problem of obesity among children and promote public health and proper nutrition in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through the development of policies, services, and programs that enhance the efforts of parents and caregivers to ensure the healthy growth of children and achieve their well-being," Al Qasimi added.
Al Qasimi pointed out the crucial role of parents and society in promoting awareness of healthy nutrition and healthy choices and verifying the adoption of healthy eating and consumption habits for children and all family members. The authority is keen, in cooperation with its partners, to implement various awareness campaigns and activities in this regard.
H.E. Engineer Bader Khamis Alshemaili, Chairman of the Technical Committee, extended his thanks and appreciation to all members for their efforts and contributions in preparing these essential standards. He also stressed the importance of applying these standards and the need for continued joint work between the government and private sectors."
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