The rule must be implemented by January 2020…

Dubai Municipality has announced that all restaurants in the emirate will have to display calorie content for all of its meals to customers.

Restaurants and cafes with more than five outlets will need to abide by this legislation before November 2019, while all others have until January 2020 to action it. The move comes as a result of efforts by Dubai Municipality to improve health of residents and encourage restaurants to offer more nutritious menus.

Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: “Dubai Municipality’s initiative is to oblige food establishments to be fully transparent in declaring calories on all foods to give consumers the ability to choose food that suits their health status.”

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“It is an innovative programme of Dubai Municipality and through it, the Municipality will encourage restaurants to provide healthy and tasty meals to consumers to achieve Dubai Municipality’s vision of developing a happy and sustainable city,” he continued.

The rules applies to all cafes and restaurants in Dubai, and aims to encourage diners to think more carefully about what they’re putting into their bodies, and make smarter, healthier choices. Residents can expect to see more menus offering meal calorie content over the next six months, with all restaurants offering the information by January next year.

Studies have shown that obesity is a problem in the UAE, in particular with the younger generation. Doctors have raised concerns and the country has seen an increase in programmes related to health and exercise over the last five years.

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Image: Getty