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The UAE Office for Future Food Security met with representatives from leading government and international entities, as well as experts in health and nutrition, to explore common food practices in the UAE in the lead-up to the launch of the National Food Security Strategy in September 2018.
The high-profile entities included the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. The discussion covered leading food trends in the UAE, which include the high consumption rate of food supplements among the public.
Participants then shed light on the genetic makeup of the Gulf region, as well as the risks of consuming fast food. They agreed, however, that there is a high level of health awareness among the UAE public, despite the vast amount of information from conflicting sources. The experts noted the increasing sizes of meals served at restaurants, in addition to the spread of diet-related illnesses, exploring ways to use Fourth-Industrial-Revolution technologies and big data in nutrition.
The UAE Office for Future Food Security asserted that food security in the UAE is closely related to the nutrition patterns of the country’s population, especially with the lack of clear food security policies in the region, and the multitude of nationalities in the country, which results in differing nutrition habits and various cuisines. With that in mind, these patterns must be studied and improved according to international best practices, in an effort to tailor local food security policies to meet the challenges and opportunities that face it.
Attendees at the meeting concluded that it is essential to draw a comprehensive genetic map for the Emirati people, to deduce the main nutrients they require. They also noted the need to create a nation-wide awareness programme and harmonise policies regarding food waste.
On a similar note, participants discussed various approaches to formulate a unified national prevention strategy that adheres to international standards, as well as a comprehensive nutrition-focused demographic study that covers both households and restaurants. The meeting also came out with recommendations to set up a social influencer programme to change behavioural patterns, in addition to a scheme that consists of placing labels on food products to indicate their calorie content and nutritional value, and publishing nutritional guides for families.
It is essential to harmonise food-import policies and impose Value Added Tax (VAT) on less nutritious foods, the participants advised, while lowering prices of healthier items to encourage consumers to buy them. Additionally, they called for raising awareness of the levels of sugar and salt in certain foods, reducing portion sizes at restaurants, and partnering with young ambassadors to promote healthy lifestyles.
Finally, the meeting discussed prospects of placing labels in braille on products to help People of Determination (people with disabilities) to learn about the nutritional content and value of their foods. Another proposed plan consisted of dedicating one day a month to share foods in neighbourhoods, whereby a community refrigerator is placed in each neighbourhood, and unwanted food items can be placed there to be consumed by neighbours, preventing them from going to waste.
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