Abu Dhabi Bans Outdoor Ads for Unhealthy Food and Drinks

  • Publish date: since 3 hours Reading time: two min read

Billboards and outdoor screens across the capital will no longer promote unhealthy food and drinks under new rules effective end of 2025.

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If you’re used to spotting burger deals and sugary drink ads on your daily commute, that’s about to change. Abu Dhabi is banning outdoor advertising of unhealthy food and beverages across the emirate.

The new rules, issued by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, kick in at the end of 2025 and apply to all licensed businesses involved in promoting food and drinks outdoors.

What’s Getting Banned

Any food or drink classified as unhealthy under Abu Dhabi’s SEHHI nutritional profiling system — specifically Grades C, D, or E — cannot be advertised in public spaces.

That includes:

  • Billboards

  • Building facades

  • Street furniture

  • Bus shelters

  • Taxis

  • Delivery vehicles

  • Digital outdoor screens

Brand-only ads from food and beverage companies are also off the table. Every ad must feature an actual product — and only items that meet approved nutritional standards can make the cut.

What’s Still Allowed

Products that fall under SEHHI Grade A or B can still be advertised. But there’s a catch: the approved food or drink must take up at least 30 percent of the ad space.

For meal promotions, the full combo matters. The main dish, sides, drinks, and even sauces will be assessed as one package before approval.

All outdoor food and beverage ads must go through a formal nutritional review before getting the final green light.

Who’s Affected

The policy applies to everyone involved in outdoor food advertising, including:

  • Advertising agencies

  • Media owners and publishers

  • Food and beverage brands

  • Restaurants and cafes

  • Retailers and supermarkets

In short, if you’re promoting food outdoors in Abu Dhabi, these rules apply to you.

What Happens If You Ignore It

The policy is mandatory. Violations could lead to fines, removal of non-compliant ads, and further permit-related penalties under Abu Dhabi law.

Authorities will monitor compliance through approval systems and data tracking, with the goal of significantly reducing — and eventually eliminating — unhealthy food advertising in public spaces.

The bigger picture? A push to fight rising cases of obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related diseases by changing what people see every day.

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