Abu Dhabi: The Public Health Centre of Abu Dhabi (ADPHC) has unveiled the SEHHI Program to make healthy food options easily available to the public while encouraging nutritious food choices in the Emirate.
The Program is in line with the Emirate’s vision to ensure a longer, healthy life for citizens by endorsing preventive measures and decreasing the risks of lifestyle diseases. The Initiative will encourage the community to consume healthy food choices and improve eating habits.
3 SUB PROGRAMS
To ensure that the program is effective and is influential to all aspects of healthy eating and food options, 3 sub-programs has been devised by the Authority.
SEHHI on Healthy Menus
The program places the SEHHI logo on food menu items identifying healthy dishes with low fat, sugar and salt contents and higher fibers, displaying calories on the Menu.
SEHHI for Healthy Groceries and Supermarkets
The initiative encourages the display and promotion of healthy foods and ingredients across F&B retail entities in Emirate.
ADPHC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every member of the Abu Dhabi community and nutrition undoubtedly plays a critical role in promoting overall health and has a profound impact on reducing the prevalence and burden of lifestyle diseases. As such, the launch of the SEHHI program aligns with our vision towards a healthy, safe society by consolidating the efforts of various stakeholders in the ecosystem to ensure access to healthy foods and promote more informed and educated dietary choices.
Mr. Matar Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, highlighted.
Meanwhile, Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of Community Health at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, observed that, “The SEHHI Program will support and empower the community to make well informed decisions when it comes to the consumption of food. Through the SEHHI Program, ADPHC has made sure to reach all consumer touchpoints to encourage better dietary decisions. We strongly urge the community to follow healthy eating habits and ensure they are consuming a balanced diet. “
FOOD CLASSIFICATIONS
ADPHC has also introduced wide-ranging classifications which identify foods that fall under the SEHHI Program, with the criteria considering calorie count, total fats, saturated and trans fats, sugar, salt, and fiber amounts.
Food outlets will also be able to input details about their food items into a digitized platform that will review and analyze the nutritional value of their dishes, identifying those that meet the SEHHI criteria. Participating entities will receive guidance and a series of trainings to ensure the optimal implementation of the program.
Parallelly, the general public in the Emirate will be provided with information and guidance on making healthier food choices.
With the prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles globally and locally, encouraging balanced and nutritious dietary choices is essential to and overall health of society, and aligns with ADPHC’s vision of a healthy safe society by promoting preventive and public health.