Everything you need to know about Abu Dhabi’s new supermarket food placement policy
Latest rules reshape product displays without limiting consumer choice
ABU DHABI – The UAE capital is set to change the way shoppers encounter food and drink products in supermarkets and online stores under a new responsible food placement policy.
The initiative aims to make healthier choices easier by changing where certain products are displayed rather than restricting what consumers can buy.
Mandatory compliance will begin on January 1, 2027, with retailers already preparing to meet the new standards.
The policy has been launched by Healthy Living in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), the regulatory arm of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), alongside several government entities focused on health, food safety and quality standards.
New rules
The policy targets the placement and promotion of high-fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) food and beverage products across physical supermarkets and online retail platforms. It does not ban or limit the sale of these products. Instead, it changes where they can be displayed to reduce their visibility in the areas shoppers are most likely to notice first.
Products classified as unhealthy under the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre's SEHHI classification will no longer be allowed in high-exposure locations. These include supermarket entrances, end-of-aisle displays and checkout counters.
The same principle will apply to online supermarkets. HFSS products cannot be featured prominently on home pages, in search results, promotional pop-ups or checkout pages.
Where it applies
The in-store requirements will apply to supermarkets larger than 4,000 square feet. Consumers will still be able to purchase the same products, which will remain available on regular store shelves.
Officials say the objective is to create shopping environments that naturally encourage healthier purchasing decisions without removing consumer choice.
The policy was developed jointly with the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority. Authorities also worked closely with retailers to ensure the standards are practical while reflecting international best practices.
Retail rollout
Retailers across Abu Dhabi have already begun implementing the new standards ahead of the mandatory deadline. Carrefour has become one of the first supermarket chains to complete implementation across its Abu Dhabi stores.
According to ADRA, the initiative supports broader efforts to improve consumer health, safety and well-being while increasing awareness of healthier food choices. Healthy Living said the policy is based on behavioural science and evidence showing that placing healthier options in more visible locations can influence purchasing habits.
Majid Al Futtaim, which operates Carrefour in the UAE, said it has aligned its Abu Dhabi stores with the Responsible Food and Beverage Placement Standards and will continue supporting healthier and more convenient shopping experiences for customers across the emirate.