Abu Dhabi Junk Food Checkout Ban Starts January 2027
Grocery shopping in the capital is about to look a little different. The Abu Dhabi junk food checkout ban will come into force on January 1, 2027, stopping large supermarkets from placing sugary snacks, chips and other unhealthy items near checkout counters and other high-traffic spots.
The rule applies to any supermarket larger than 4,000 square feet and is part of a joint push by the government-backed ‘Healthy Living’ movement and the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority, the arm of the Department of Economic Development that regulates local businesses.
It isn’t just about physical stores. Online grocery platforms will also need to rethink how they promote high-fat, salt and sugar products, avoiding placements on home pages, search results, pop-ups and checkout screens.
Importantly, the items themselves won’t disappear from shelves entirely. Supermarkets can still sell them, but they can’t be placed at store entrances, end-of-aisle displays or tills, where shoppers are most likely to grab them on impulse.
The policy was shaped by input from several health and food safety bodies, including the Department of Health and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, and draws on similar programmes already used in other countries to encourage healthier everyday choices.
