Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has rolled out stringent food service guidelines for educational institutions, marking a significant shift in school nutrition standards for the 2024/25 academic year.
Key Policy Changes
The new regulations prohibit external food delivery services, including platforms like Talabat and Deliveroo, during school hours. This restriction aims to maintain strict control over students’ nutritional intake and food safety.
Schools must now:
- Implement active supervision during meal times to monitor student eating habits and prevent food-related incidents
- Ban items such as carbonated drinks and foods containing common allergens
- Maintain detailed records of student food allergies and make this information readily available to canteen staff
- Display clear allergen information on all food labels
Parent and Student Involvement
The policy emphasises collaboration between schools and families. Educational institutions must provide parents with specific guidelines about:
- Recommended healthy lunch options
- Foods to avoid, such as fried items
- Potential health risks associated with poor dietary choices
- Updates on food-related policies and restrictions
Students play an active role in shaping their school’s food services through:
- Regular feedback sessions
- Participation in menu planning
- Suggestions for service improvements
Special Dietary Requirements
The guidelines mandate special considerations for:
- Religious and cultural dietary needs
- Students with food allergies or intolerances
- Minority groups’ food preferences
Staff Training Requirements
All teaching and canteen staff must complete specialised training through the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center (ADPHC). This training focuses on:
- Promoting healthy eating habits
- Managing food allergies
- Implementing food safety protocols
- Supervising student meal times effectively
Implementation Timeline
Schools have received a structured timeline for policy adoption:
- Initial implementation: 2024/25 academic year
- Full compliance deadline: Beginning of 2025/26 academic year
Safety Protocols
The policy introduces comprehensive safety measures including:
- Mandatory risk assessments for food allergies
- Clear procedures for handling allergic reactions
- Proper storage protocols for allergy medications
- Regular updates of student allergy records
- Immediate notification systems for new allergy cases
This policy represents ADEK’s commitment to fostering healthier school communities and establishing sustainable food practices across Abu Dhabi’s educational sector.
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