2017

Chefs in Dubai have been asked by the Food Safety Department to reduce the salt and oil content, and increase the wholegrain and vegetable content, of their dishes. This move comes as part of their ‘Eat Healthy, Live Healthy’ campaign which aims to reduce obesity, diabetes and hypertension in the city.

2016

Supermarkets in Dubai have been encouraged by the Food Safety Department to reduce salt in their own-brand products, as well as to make changes to displays to promote healthy food. This is part of their new campaign ‘Healthy is Easy’ which aims to change the misconception that healthy food is less tasty or is more difficult to make and, ultimately, help reduce the high rate of obesity by cutting consumption of foods high in salt, saturated fat and trans fats.

The UAE’s health minister is working with different organisations to implement laws that will restrict the trans fats and salt contents of processed foods. Supermarkets are also creating social media campaigns to promote awareness about nutrition and healthy eating habits, including tips to reduce salt intake.

June 2015

WASH members Dr Nawal Alhamad, Dr Elsayed Almalt and colleagues have published an overview of salt reduction activities in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.  The overview states that the Ministry of Health is the main governmental body responsible for salt reduction in the UAE and that they are aiming to implement a plan to reduce the salt content of bread.