In 2026, schools across the United Arab Emirates are enforcing stricter bans on sugary foods, fizzy drinks and other unhealthy snacks on campus as a part of a broader effort by education and health authorities to improve children’s well-being, behaviour in class and long-term health outcomes. Government messages to parents have urged them to check lunchboxes diligently and school administrators are closely monitoring compliance with the new policies.
What’s being banned in UAE schools and why
Under the updated guidelines now in effect, students are no longer allowed to bring or consume on school grounds items such as:
- Sugary snacks and sweets, including candies, marshmallows, cupcakes and chocolate products.
- Fizzy drinks and soft drinks, whether regular, diet or artificially sweetened
- Processed, coloured or flavoured crisps and chips
- Energy and sports drinks with added sugar or stimulants
These restrictions are based on evidence linking high sugar consumption and ultra-processed foods with poor concentration, classroom disruptions, hyperactivity and behavioural issues, as well as longer-term health problems such as obesity and tooth decay. Schools cited these connections when sending out notices to parents, stressing that students’ focus and academic performance can be negatively affected by unhealthy eating habits.
How is the ban on sugary food and unhealthy snacks being enforced in UAE schools
The UAE’s move is not just a recommendation, it is being actively enforced:
Lunchbox checks are now routine in many schools, with staff reviewing what students bring from home to ensure it complies with the new food rules.- Un
healthy beverages and snacks are prohibited not only from school canteens but also from being delivered during school hours. Restrictions on online food deliveries during school time were introduced previously to reinforce healthy eating habits. - Schools are promoting water, unsweetened drinks and healthier alternatives like fruit, wholegrain snacks and low-sugar options in place of the banned items.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), which published a comprehensive “Red List” of prohibited foods, has even conducted spot checks on lunch boxes to ensure that students are not consuming high-fat, high-sugar items on campus.
Public health context: Rising concerns about child nutrition in the UAE
The UAE’s efforts mirror growing global health concerns about childhood nutrition. International health organisations have reported that childhood obesity rates are climbing worldwide, thanks largely to the prevalence of ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages in children’s diets. Excessive sugar intake and unhealthy snacks have been cited as risk factors for type 2 diabetes, metabolic issues and dental problems among children and adolescents.Within the UAE itself, education and health authorities are increasingly prioritising healthy lifestyles in schools, embedding nutrition education into curricula and partnerships with parents.
What parents and students in the UAE need to know
- Lunchbox Guidelines: Parents are being advised to pack balanced meals with nutritious options such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain sandwiches and unsweetened drinks, and to avoid sending soda, sweets, sugar-laden snacks or highly processed treats.
- School Food Policies: Canteens and vendors supplying food to schools must adhere to comprehensive food-safety and nutrition policies that prohibit sugary and unhealthy food items and promote nutritious alternatives.
- No Deliveries During School Hours: To reduce students’ access to unhealthy food during the school day, many UAE schools have also banned online food delivery services while classes are in session, reducing temptation and increasing control over what students eat.
Studies have linked poor diet quality, characterised by high sugar and processed-food intake, not only to physical health outcomes but also to cognitive effects such as impaired memory, reduced attention span and increased behavioural issues in classroom settings. These effects can collectively impact students’ learning experiences.By tightening controls on what students consume during school hours, UAE authorities hope to foster healthier habits early in life, support better academic performance, and reduce future health burdens associated with diet-related diseases.
Looking ahead: A health-first school culture in the UAE
The UAE’s school food ban is part of a broader health-centric shift in education policy in 2026, which also includes environmental and safety reforms across the education sector. Schools are increasingly seen as environments where healthy behaviours, from diet to physical activity, are actively encouraged to support overall child well-being. If parents and students embrace these changes, the move could serve as a model for child nutrition policy across the Gulf region, demonstrating how policy, education and community cooperation can work together to promote healthier futures.UAE schools are cracking down on sugary foods and unhealthy snacks in 2026 to improve children’s health, behaviour and learning outcomes. Through bans on sweets, fizzy drinks and processed snacks, lunchbox checks and comprehensive nutrition policies, authorities are pushing for a culture of healthy eating that aligns with global public-health goals and a growing understanding of how diet influences both body and mind.
