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Three sub-programs have been identified to ensure wider coverage and greater impact
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Abu Dhabi has launched a new initiative to increase access to healthy food and promote nutritious food choices in the emirate.
The SEHHI programme of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) aims to encourage the community to make healthy food choices and improve eating habits. The program helps identify nutritious foods and ingredients in food stores, restaurants, cafes, healthcare facilities, hotels and grocery stores, and supermarkets throughout the emirate.
ADPHC is the first dedicated centre in the region to protect the physical, psychological and social well-being of Abu Dhabi’s population through public awareness and preventive healthcare. The new plan is in line with Abu Dhabi’s vision to ensure citizens live longer, healthier lives by promoting preventive measures and reducing the risk of lifestyle diseases.
Three sub-programs have been identified to ensure wider scope and greater impact.
1. “SEHHI on Healthy Menus,” including placing the SEHHI logo on food menu items to identify healthy dishes that are low in fat, sugar, salt, and fiber.
2. “Show Calories on Menu”, which will require adding calorie counts to food menu items.
3. “SEHHI for Healthy Food and Supermarkets”, which will encourage the display and promotion of healthy food and ingredients in food and beverage retail entities in Abu Dhabi.
Steps towards a healthy and safe society
ADPHC Director General Matar Al Nuaimi said the centre remains committed to the safety and well-being of every member of the Abu Dhabi community.
“There is no doubt that nutrition plays a key role in promoting overall health and has a profound impact on reducing the prevalence and burden of lifestyle diseases. Therefore, the launch of the SEHHI programme is in line with our vision for a healthy, safe society, by consolidating The efforts of various stakeholders in the ecosystem to ensure access to healthy food and promote more informed and educated dietary choices.”
Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of Community Health at ADPHC, said: “The SEHHI programme will support and empower communities to make informed decisions about food consumption. Through the SEHHI programme, ADPHC ensures that all consumer touchpoints are reached to encourage better dietary decisions. We strongly urge the community to follow healthy eating habits and ensure they eat a balanced diet.”
A comprehensive classification process has been established to identify foods that fall under the SEHHI program, with criteria taking into account calorie count, total fat, saturated and trans fat, sugar, salt, and amount of fiber.
Food stores will be able to enter details about their food products into a digital platform that will review and analyze the nutritional value of their dishes to identify SEHHI-compliant dishes. Participating entities will receive guidance and a range of training to ensure optimal implementation of the programme. At the same time, information and guidance on healthier food choices will be provided to the Abu Dhabi community.
With obesity and sedentary lifestyles prevalent globally and locally, encouraging balanced and nutritious dietary choices is critical to the overall health of society and is in line with ADPHC’s vision of a healthy and safe society through the promotion of prevention and public health.
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