Dubai has introduced an advanced, AI-driven school nutrition system, ‘My School Food’, aimed at transforming how student meals are monitored, evaluated and regulated across the emirate. The new platform, launched by Dubai Municipality at the 19th Dubai International Food Safety Conference, will cover more than 500 schools, nurseries and universities, reaching over 400,000 students and unifying more than 50 food suppliers under a single digital framework.
Designed as a comprehensive ecosystem rather than a simple menu-approval tool, My School Food integrates daily food-safety checks, colour-coded nutrition standards, supplier training, e-learning modules, and real-time oversight of what children eat. The system connects directly to Dubai Municipality’s food-safety monitoring network, enabling inspectors to approve and track school menus every day.
A key feature is “Ghalia”, an AI assistant that provides instant guidance to students, parents, teachers and suppliers on balanced diets, food-safety principles and waste reduction. Students gain access to interactive nutrition lessons, while parents receive healthy recipes and tools to reinforce better eating habits at home.
Stricter rules for school meals
Alongside the platform, Dubai has rolled out some of its most stringent school-nutrition standards to date, covering portion sizes, calorie control, age-appropriate meals, allergy management and clearer food labelling.
Central to the new system is a four-tier, colour-coded Smart Food Choices System:
- Green (Encouraged Daily) – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, water, reduced-fat dairy
- Yellow (Allowed Occasionally) – restricted items with controlled portions
- Red (Restricted) – high-sugar/high-fat foods permitted rarely
- Black (Banned) – deep-fried items, heavily processed snacks, sugary beverages
Schools and suppliers must also appoint a Nutrition in Charge (NIC)—a trained staff member responsible for nutrition compliance—alongside the existing Person in Charge (PIC) for food safety. Monthly audits using NutriCheck, a self-monitoring tool, will further support enforcement.
Partnerships to strengthen food systems
Dubai Municipality’s initiative is reinforced through multiple strategic collaborations.
A major partnership with Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) will streamline inspections, simplify rules for food companies and accelerate the clearance of imported foods. Deals with Ecolab UAE focus on water safety and sustainable food-management technologies.
Additionally, academic partnerships with Canadian University Dubai and Manipal Academy of Higher Education – Dubai will help develop AI tools for risk assessment and provide specialised training for future food-safety professionals.
A phased rollout for long-term impact
While the My School Food platform is already operational, the complete implementation of the colour-coded nutrition rules will begin in the 2025–26 academic year to allow institutions time to adapt.
The initiative positions Dubai at the forefront of global efforts to improve child health, reduce obesity, and enhance learning outcomes through better nutrition. By linking technology, strict regulation and multi-agency coordination, Dubai aims to build a school environment where healthy eating becomes the default choice.
