Health Authority Abu Dhabi. Document Ref. Number: HAAD/LFWL/SD/0.8 Version 0.8. Approval Date: 05 August 2012 Effective Date: August 2012

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1 Health Authority Abu Dhabi Document Title: Standards for labelling food with Weqaya logo Document Ref. Number: HAAD/LFWL/SD/0.8 Version 0.8 Approval Date: 05 August 2012 Effective Date: August 2012 Last Reviewed: N/A Next Review: December 2013 Revision History Document Owner: Applies to: Classification: N/A Non-Communicable Diseases Department, Public Health and Policy Division Restaurants, food manufacturers and producers, supermarkets and food outlets Public 1. Purpose 1.1 Healthy Eating can help achieve and maintain good health throughout the life cycle. HAAD encourages and supports the consumption of healthy food, including in the home cooking or when eating out at restaurants and cafes. In support of raising awareness about healthy eating and good eating habits, HAAD also encourages food producers and marketers to promote, prepare and sell nutritious meals. It does this by allowing restaurants, food manufacturers and producers, supermarkets and food outlets to use the Weqaya Logo to promote healthy and nutritious food. 1.2 Most people appreciate the importance of healthy eating and its linkage to disease prevention, but few understand what healthy food really is. Adding Weqaya Symbol to healthy choices on the restaurant menu will assist consumers to make quick, informed choices on menu items that contribute to healthy eating habits. 1.3 There is compelling scientific evidence that many cases of cardiovascular disease(cvd), the major burden of disease in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and other prevalent diseases can be prevented with healthy eating habits. 1.4 This standard sets out the HAAD criteria and process in support of approving the labeling of nutritious food/meals with the HAAD Weqaya Logo. Page 1 of 5

2 2. Scope 2.1 This standard applies to all entities engaged in the food industry including food producers/manufacturers, marketers and sellers as well as restaurants and cafes in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. 2.2 Entities wishing to apply the Weqaya Logo on their products must seek HAAD approval prior to the use of the Weqaya Logo on yearly basis. 2.3 Food labeled with the Weqaya logo must satisfy the requirements of this Standard and be prepared in an appropriate and hygienic manner including using healthy and nutritious ingredients, avoiding high fat and salt and ensuring that food products are suitable for all individuals - adults, teenagers and children aged three and above. 2.4 Weqaya logo is intended for everyone who wants to eat a healthy diet and not particularly for diet food. 2.5 This standard is not a substitute for any other laws or regulations mandated by the Government of Abu Dhabi, or any advisory guidance established by other Abu Dhabi government authorities. It is the responsibility of the organization to ensure that it is read and applied in conjunction with applicable laws, regulations and guidance relevant to that organization. 3. Role of food producers/manufacturers, marketers and sellers 3.1 HAAD strongly encourages all entities engaged in the food industry including food producers/manufacturers, marketers and sellers as well as restaurants and cafes to provide healthy food options; 3.2 Healthy food can be high in dietary fiber, and/or vitamin D, and/or calcium, and/or omega-3 fat, and/or iron. In addition, healthy food is low in total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, contains no Trans fats, and low in salt and sugar. 3.3 All food producers/manufacturers, marketers and sellers as well as restaurants and cafes may seek to add the Weqaya Logo on healthy food choices offered through their products, only where their products are demonstrated to comply with the specifications of this HAAD standard; 3.4 The Weqaya logo can be added only to food originating from food groups that contain Protein, or/and Grains, or/and Milk and Dairy Products, or/and Vegetables, or/and Fruits and that satisfy international nutrients recommendation detailed under section 4 Weqaya Logo Use Criteria ; 3.5 Entities approved to apply the Weqaya Logo to their products must self ensure that such products comply with this standard and that claims made are truthful; Page 2 of 5

3 3.6 All food producers/manufacturers, marketers and sellers as well as restaurants and cafes must comply with the respective UAE federal and Abu Dhabi Government laws and regulations applicable to their sector. 4. Weqaya Logo Use Criteria 4.1 Specifications for hot dishes and menu items labeled with Weqaya logo: Kcal: They should contain no more than 750 kcal/serving; Fruits or vegetables other than potatoes should weigh more than 100 grams; No more than 30% of the calories from fat. (3 grams or less per 100 grams of product and less than 30% of the calories from fat); No more than 10% of the calories from saturated fat. (1 gram or less per 100 grams of product and less than 10% of the calories from saturated fat); No Trans fatty acids; No more than 20 mg of cholesterol per 100 grams of product; gram refined sugars/100 gram of product; gram salt/100 gram or 0.4 gram of sodium/100 gram of product; Weqaya logo cannot be added to dishes that contain sweeteners or cream unless the cream is low fat as per specification; Salads and salad buffet: Should include at least 3 kinds of roots, legumes, fruit and vegetables, not including lettuce and cucumber; Salad dressing: should be based on oil/vinegar or lemon and meet the specifications ; Weqaya logo cannot be added to dishes that are deep fried. 4.2 Specifications for individual food tagged with Weqaya logo including filled sandwiches: Milk: 0.7 g/100 g fat, 9 g/100 g total sugars; Yogurt: 1.3 g/100 g fat, no artificial sweeteners; 14 /100 g total sugar; Cheeses: 17 g/100 g fat; 0.5 g/100 g sodium (1.2 gram salt); Page 3 of 5

4.2.4 Bread: minimum 25 % whole grain, minimum 5 g/100 g dietary fiber, fat 7 g/100 g, total sugars 5 g/100 g, sodium 0.5 g/100 g; 4.2.5 Pasta: minimum 50 % whole grain, 6 gdietary fiber/100 g Iproducts, sodium 0.

4 4.2.4 Bread: minimum 25 % whole grain, minimum 5 g/100 g dietary fiber, fat 7 g/100 g, total sugars 5 g/100 g, sodium 0.5 g/100 g; Pasta: minimum 50 % whole grain, 6 gdietary fiber/100 g Iproducts, sodium 0.04 g/100 g; Cereals: minimum 50 % whole grain, minimum 6 g/100 g dietary fiber, fat 7 g/100 g, total sugars 13 g/100 g, sodium 0.5 g/100 g; Products containing at least 50 % meat or poultry: fat 10 g/100 gm, total sugars 5 g/100 g; Products containing at least 50 % fish or shellfish: fat not originating from fish should be 10 g/100 gm, total sugars 5 g/100 g; Fruit Juice: 100% fruit juice, no added natural or artificial sweeteners; Vegetable Juice: 100% vegetable juice, no added natural or artificial sweeteners; Weqaya logo cannot be added to individual foods that are deep fried. 5. Process 5.1 Weqaya is part of services brought by HAAD to help the community of Abu Dhabi live healthy, active lives, ensuring a long, happy future for the nation. HAAD will allow restaurants, food manufacturers and producers, supermarkets and food outlets to add Weqaya Logo to healthy and nutritious food consistent with HAAD standards for labeling food with Weqaya logo; 5.2 Labeling food in reference to their content of fat, sugars, salt or dietary fiber may only be carried out using the following Weqaya logo, 5.3 Staff should have knowledge about Weqaya logo. All the staff and chefs should be provided with basic and advanced information dependant on their level of involvement; 5.4 For nutritional analysis of menus and recipes, designated staff can use simplified webbased program available on line; 5.5 Weqaya logo can be displayed next to the meals on the menu or healthy choices in a buffet; Page 4 of 5

5 5.6 For all products that carry Weqaya logo, a Nutrition Facts Label must be provided either on site or upon request; 5.7 HAAD will provide the site with Weqaya logo definition that should be visible to consumers; 5.8 The site should keep records of their processes of labeling food with the Weqaya logo and supporting documents that may be needed for random inspection. Page 5 of 5

DIABETES & HEALTHY EATING

DIABETES & HEALTHY EATING Food gives you the energy you need for healthy living. Your body changes most of the food you eat into a sugar called glucose. (glucose) Insulin helps your cells get the sugar