Abu Dhabi Launches Nutri-Mark: A Game-Changer in Nutrition Labeling
In a significant move to promote public health and combat rising lifestyle diseases, Abu Dhabi has rolled out an innovative front-of-pack nutrition labeling system called Nutri-Mark. This pioneering initiative is designed to empower consumers with clear, easy-to-understand information, enabling smarter and healthier food purchasing decisions while simultaneously encouraging food manufacturers to improve the nutritional quality of their products.
What is Nutri-Mark and How Does It Work?
Nutri-Mark is a straightforward grading system that uses letters from A to E to rate a food product's overall nutritional quality. Products labeled with an A (displayed in dark green) represent the highest nutritional value, while those marked with an E (shown in red) indicate the lowest. This color-coded, front-of-package label allows shoppers to quickly compare similar items within the same category, such as baked goods, dairy products, oils, beverages, and children's food.
The system effectively simplifies the often complex and confusing nutritional tables and ingredient lists found on traditional packaging. By reframing this information into an intuitive, letter-based format, Nutri-Mark supports everyday consumer choices, making healthy eating more accessible for everyone.
From Voluntary Adoption to Mandatory Compliance
The Nutri-Mark system was first introduced in late 2024, beginning with a voluntary adoption phase. During this period, manufacturers were encouraged to implement the labels early and reconsider their product formulations to achieve better grades. However, the initiative has now entered a more rigorous regulatory phase.
Mandatory labeling requirements for specific food categories officially took effect on June 1, 2025, as part of Abu Dhabi's comprehensive regulatory framework. From this date, items sold in supermarkets that fall into key categories—including baked goods, oils, dairy, beverages, and children's food—must display a Nutri-Mark grade. Failure to comply can result in products being removed from shelves and potential fines for manufacturers.
Authorities plan to gradually expand the system to cover all food products sold in the emirate, ultimately making Nutri-Mark a standard feature on packaging across the entire market.
Addressing Public Health Concerns Through Transparency
Nutri-Mark is not merely an informational tool; it is a strategic component of Abu Dhabi's broader public health agenda. Developed through a collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC) and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), and under the umbrella of the Healthy Living Program, the system aims to tackle alarming obesity statistics.
With high percentages of overweight and obese adults and children in the region, officials emphasize the urgent need for better nutritional transparency. Rather than simply labeling foods as "good" or "bad," the grading system enables shoppers to compare items within the same category, encouraging them to choose products with superior nutritional profiles—such as those with lower salt, fat, or sugar content. This approach is inspired by similar European systems but has been carefully adapted to the local context to meet specific public health objectives.
Impact on Food Manufacturers and Industry Reformulation
The introduction of Nutri-Mark has already prompted a noticeable shift within the food industry. Several brands have proactively reformulated their products ahead of the mandatory phase to secure higher grades. Common strategies include reducing levels of sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats while enhancing beneficial components like fiber, protein, or micronutrients.
Authorities are supporting this transition by providing clear standards, technical guidance, and robust inspection systems to verify label accuracy. In cases where products display inaccurate Nutri-Mark grades, they can be withdrawn from shelves, underscoring that the initiative is part of a compliance-linked quality regime rather than just a voluntary guideline.
Digital Integration and Future Prospects
To further enhance consumer empowerment, Abu Dhabi has integrated Nutri-Mark with digital platforms, most notably the TAMM app. This integration allows shoppers to scan product barcodes using their smartphones and instantly receive nutritional grades and detailed insights, even when physical labels are still in transition. This digital scanning functionality complements the physical labels, making the system more dynamic and accessible—particularly for tech-savvy shoppers and families making quick purchasing decisions.
As part of Abu Dhabi's larger Healthy Living Strategy, Nutri-Mark represents a proactive, preventive health measure focused on reducing the prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases. The ultimate goal is to shift the entire food environment, making healthier options the default choice for consumers while fostering industry competition based on nutritional quality, not just price or taste.
Abu Dhabi's Nutri-Mark initiative stands as one of the most progressive food labeling reforms in the region, combining simple, graded nutrition labels with digital tools and clear public health objectives. As it transitions from voluntary adoption to mandatory requirements, starting with key product categories, Nutri-Mark is poised to reshape both consumer behavior and industry standards, making healthier eating easier and more transparent for everyone across the emirate.
