TL;DR: Dubai's 2024 Food and Nutrition Guidelines are reshaping school meals and nutrition from nurseries to universities. The updated guidelines prioritize healthier food options, sustainability (e.g., plant-based meals, eco-friendly packaging), and engaging students with technology like the "Food Heroes Plate" and "SCAN the Block" for food education. Schools also introduce "healthy eating points" to promote nutritious choices. Aimed at setting a global benchmark for school nutrition, these guidelines encourage health, environmental awareness, and stakeholder involvement, including food labeling for nutrition and allergens.

The Importance of Food Labeling in School Nutrition

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 40 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2020. This underscores the critical importance of ensuring healthy, balanced meals in schools to combat childhood obesity and promote long-term health. In the UAE, childhood obesity is a growing concern, with 20% of children considered overweight or obese, as reported by the UAE National Diabetes Strategy. This leads to an increased risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) further reports that 30% of school-aged children in Dubai are overweight or obese, which highlights the urgent need for effective school catering and nutritional guidelines.

To address this issue, the Dubai 2024 Food and Nutrition Guidelines mandate food labeling for all meals served in educational institutions, including buffet-style and grab-and-go options. The guidelines specify that labels must include nutritional information based on the serving size, which reflects the actual portion students are consuming, rather than per 100 grams. Additionally, allergen information, including common allergens such as nuts, dairy, gluten, and others, must be clearly displayed to safeguard students with food sensitivities.

These labels must be provided in both Arabic and English to ensure clarity and accessibility for all stakeholders, including students, parents, and school staff. This labeling system aims to empower students and parents to make informed food choices, encourage healthier eating habits, and enhance food safety in schools.

Revolutionizing Nutrition in Dubai's Schools: A Global Standard in the Making

Dubai is making significant strides in transforming school nutrition with the release of the 2024 "Dubai Food and Nutrition Guidelines and Requirements in Educational Institutions." These guidelines are designed to set a global standard for school nutrition by emphasizing healthier food options, sustainability, and community engagement.

A Broader Approach to Nutrition

The 2024 guidelines build on the 2016 framework, now extending to nurseries, early learning centers, schools, and universities. The "My School Food" initiative brings together stakeholders—educational institutions, students, parents, food suppliers, and the Dubai Municipality—to ensure healthy eating habits are fostered across all educational stages.

Sustainability in Focus

A strong emphasis is placed on combining health with sustainability. Schools are encouraged to serve plant-based meals, reduce food waste, and use eco-friendly packaging, supporting both student health and environmental consciousness.

Engaging Through Technology

The updated guidelines integrate technology to make nutrition education more engaging. The "Food Heroes Plate" helps students understand balanced meal portions, while digital tools enable parents to track school meals, improving communication between home and school. Additionally, food labeling plays a vital role in guiding healthier food choices.

Making Food Safety a Priority

With a focus on food safety, students are taught to decode nutrition labels using the "SCAN the Block" method, helping them identify and avoid unhealthy food choices. This hands-on, interactive approach ensures that students understand the importance of nutrition in a practical and engaging way.

Rewarding Healthy Choices

To make healthy eating more appealing, schools now offer "healthy eating points" for students who make nutritious food choices. This system gamifies healthy eating, encouraging students to make better decisions.

Setting a Global Standard

Dubai’s goal is to lead by example in school nutrition, equipping students with the knowledge and tools to make healthier choices. The guidelines set a model that could inspire other cities and countries to adopt similar practices, aiming to create a food-literate and health-conscious generation.

What’s Next?

With the 2024 updates, Dubai is positioning itself as a global leader in school nutrition, integrating sustainability, technology, and interactive engagement. This initiative not only aims to improve school meals but also strives to foster a culture of health, food literacy, and environmental responsibility, paving the way for a healthier future.

Dubai’s approach offers a blueprint for change worldwide. As part of this movement, NutriCal plays a pivotal role by providing food labeling guidelines for nutrition and allergens, supporting schools and parents in making healthier and safer food choices. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how we can apply these approaches to our communities, ensuring a healthier, more sustainable future.

Reference - DUBAI FOOD AND NUTRITION GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (v7-02 Aug 24)

Dubai Municipality

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