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Staff restaurants to offer healthier Weqaya-compliant menu options
Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) will introduce healthier Weqaya-approved meal options to its staff restaurants after signing an agreement with The Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD).
The agreement represents a significant commitment by EAG to the wellbeing of its employees, while contributing to a healthier community in its home of Abu Dhabi.
The “Weqaya” logo, the official mark of healthy eating in Abu Dhabi, is only permitted on foods and at food outlets that meet strict requirements on preparation and ingredients, as governed by HAAD. Weqaya labelling can be displayed when food items, such as a salad or sandwich, contain less than 750 calories, are low in fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar, and high in fibre, among other specifications.
Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Etihad Aviation Group Vice President Medical Services, said: “We have been working closely with HAAD for many months to understand the Weqaya requirements and incorporate them into our business so that our staff restaurants offer food of the highest nutritional quality and employees can quickly identify what choices are best for their health.”
Speaking at SIAL Middle East 2016 in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Bastaki added: “This is a major undertaking by EAG and demonstrates our commitment to a healthier workforce and to the reduction of health conditions in the community linked to a poor diet. We would like to thank HAAD for their guidance and support.”
Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Director of Public Health and Research at HAAD, said: “HAAD is ramping up its efforts to fulfil its vision for “a healthier Abu Dhabi” by promoting a healthy food culture in our community and ultimately increasing demand for it. In parallel to its awareness-raising efforts to increase demand, HAAD is also ensuring the availability of healthy food options across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and making them easier to identify
through the “Weqaya” logo. We will continue to stress that besides regular physical activity, healthy eating habits are a critical component of leading a healthier lifestyle.”
Etihad Aviation Group, in collaboration with HAAD, held training sessions for Etihad food handlers on how to prepare healthy food, according to Weqaya food specifications. So far, more than 50 chefs and food and beverage staff have gone through special training ahead of EAG’s launch of nine Weqaya menu options across six staff restaurants this month.
Dr. Al Hajeri added: “Our collaboration with EAG today, is an important milestone in promoting the Weqaya Nutrition Programme, and encouraging its adoption across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We will continue to work diligently with all our partners in both the public and private sector to ensure a smooth implementation and adoption of healthy food specifications at food supply companies, cafes, restaurants and market stores.”
The Weqaya Nutrition Programme was launched in September 2013 to raise awareness about healthy food items available at food outlets in the Emirate, while encouraging outlets to increase their healthy offerings. HAAD collaborated with the Quality Conformity Council (QCC) and Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) to update the standards. The programme will help contribute to the effective reduction of risk factors associated with major non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
To register for the Weqaya programme, food companies, food outlets or restaurants can visit http://www.haad.ae/erga/healthymenu.aspx
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About Etihad Aviation Group
Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising four business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority investments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional.
From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, more than 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.
The airline has a fleet of over 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. For more information, please visit: etihad.com
For more information contact:
Duty Media Officer
Etihad Airways
Tel: + 971 50 818 9596
Email: dutymediaofficer@etihad.ae
About HAAD
The Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD) is the regulative body of the Healthcare Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and ensures excellence in Healthcare for the community by monitoring the health status of the population.
HAAD defines the strategy for the health system, monitors and analyses the health status of the population and performance of the system.
In addition HAAD shapes the regulatory framework for the health system, inspects against regulations, enforce standards, and encourages adoption of world – class best practices and performance targets by all healthcare service providers in the Emirate.
HAAD also drives programs to increase awareness and adoption of healthy living standards among the residents of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in addition to regulating scope of services, premiums and reimbursement rates of the health system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
© Press Release 2016
