As schools across Dubai welcome back thousands of students for the new academic year, the Food Safety Department, Applied Nutrition and Awareness Section of Dubai Municipality is leading efforts to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment. With a renewed focus on nutrition, food safety, and active living, the Municipality is reinforcing its commitment to the well-being of Dubai’s youth.
Setting the Standards for School Nutrition
At the heart of these efforts is the enhanced Food & Nutrition Guidelines and Requirements for Educational Institutions in Dubai, led by the Applied Nutrition and Awareness Section of Dubai Municipality. These guidelines strengthen the existing framework for school meals by outlining clear requirements for portion balance, calorie limits, nutrient quality, allergen control, and food hygiene practices.
They are designed not only to raise the standard of meals served in educational institutions but also to ensure that school food contributes positively to children’s overall growth, learning, and well-being, supporting schools in delivering consistent, safe, and nutritious options across the Emirate.
“They represent an important step in our mission to safeguard the health of students across the Emirate,” said Dr. Sultan Al Taher, Director of the Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality. “By raising standards and expanding access to nutrition education, we are ensuring that schools remain a cornerstone of safe and healthy living for our children.”
Strengthening Oversight – Nutrition Audits and Food Safety Routine Inspections
To ensure that these guidelines are consistently applied, Dubai Municipality is enhancing its oversight this school year with the launch of Nutrition Audits. These audits will evaluate the compliance of school canteens with the Food & Nutrition Guidelines and Requirements for Educational Institutions in Dubai, serving as an additional safeguard to the NutriCheck platform.
The NutriCheck self audit platform is designed to nudge both food suppliers and school Persons-in-Charge (PICs) to conduct regular self-audits, reinforcing accountability and encouraging continuous compliance. Alongside these audits, routine food safety inspections and awareness campaigns will continue, focusing on hygiene, storage practices, and the overall safety of meals served in schools. Together, these measures form a robust framework that protects student health and ensures the highest standards are upheld.
My School Food: A One-Stop Digital Hub
Supporting these efforts is the newly enhanced My School Food portal, a comprehensive digital hub designed to bring together students, teachers, parents, and food suppliers. The portal provides:
- Interactive tools and healthy recipes to encourage better daily food choices.
- Compliance resources for food suppliers and schools to stay aligned with official guidelines.
- Dedicated content sections for each stakeholder, offering resources tailored to their needs.
Within this development, Dubai Municipality has also introduced the Nutrition Learning Management System (LMS). This platform equips the school community with the knowledge and skills to apply the guidelines in practice:
- Teachers gain access to lesson plans and classroom resources on food safety and nutrition.
- Parents can explore lunchbox guides and healthy meal planning tips.
- Food suppliers receive structured training modules and certification opportunities.
Dubai Municipality invites teachers, parents, and food suppliers to register on the LMS through the My School Food landing page. With Ghalia, the portal’s AI-powered chatbot, serving as their companion, users can receive instant answers, helpful reminders, and practical tips to support a healthier, safer, and more active school year.
Nutrition Innovation Through “Ghalia”
Completing this ecosystem is “Ghalia,” the AI-powered chatbot integrated into the My School Food portal. Ghalia offers instant, reliable guidance to parents, teachers, and suppliers alike, helping with everything from nutrition queries to compliance advice.
Back-to-School Support: Healthy Lunches and Safe Practices
As part of its seasonal focus, both the portal and LMS feature back-to-school resources. These include practical guides for preparing healthy lunch boxes, safe storage tips for food kept in classrooms, and easy-to-follow advice that supports healthier daily routines. By providing this information in an engaging, accessible format, Dubai Municipality ensures students have the energy and focus they need for active learning.
A Holistic Approach: Staying Active, Happy, and Healthy
Recognizing that well-being extends beyond nutrition, Dubai Municipality has expanded the My School Food student page with gamified learning experiences and educational videos that make healthy living fun and interactive.
These resources deliver a holistic message: good health is about eating well, staying active, keeping hydrated, and maintaining emotional balance. Together, they empower students to thrive academically, socially, and physically.
Building a Healthier Future Together
With the introduction of Nutrition Audits, routine inspections, the My School Food portal, the LMS, engaging student resources, and Ghalia, Dubai Municipality is setting a strong foundation for a healthier academic year.
“As the new school year begins, our goal is to ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals, a safe school environment, and the tools to make informed choices,” said Michael Rivera, Project Manager for the School Program at Dubai Municipality.
Hessa AlSumaiti, Acting Head of the Applied Nutrition and Awareness Section, added: “Through the Food & Nutrition Guidelines and Requirements for Educational Institutions in Dubai, along with the new Nutrition Audits and digital learning platforms, we are working closely with schools and families to promote a culture of health, safety, and well-being. Together, we can help our children grow not just academically, but also physically and emotionally.”
Join the Movement for Healthier Schools
Dubai Municipality calls on all stakeholders, teachers, parents, food suppliers, and school management, to register on the My School Food platform and take full advantage of the Nutrition Learning Management System.
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Food suppliers and school management are also encouraged to make use of the NutriCheck platform, ensuring their canteens meet the Food & Nutrition Guidelines and Requirements for Educational Institutions in Dubai.
More innovations are set to roll out this school year under the School Program of the Applied Nutrition and Awareness Section of the Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality, further strengthening the commitment to a healthier future for every child.