Abu Dhabi is quietly reshaping the food industry, but not in terms of fancy restaurants. It is instead gearing up for food safety and how it’s made, marketed, and chosen. A new nutrition labelling system called Nutri-Mark is prompting food brands to reformulate products and roll out healthier options in Abu Dhabi. The idea is to make nutrition easier to understand instead of glancing aimlessly at the product label.
Abu Dhabi’s Nutri-Mark Food Labelling Scheme Is Pushing Brands To Reformulate
According to reports by The National and Gulf News, the initiative has already gained strong traction among local and international manufacturers. Although is was introduced in 2024, it’s still in its voluntary phase and has not been announced mandatory yet.
What Is Nutri-Mark And How Does It Work?
First announced in November 2024, Nutri-Mark ranks packaged food products from A to E, with A indicating the highest nutritional value and E the lowest. The system applies within product categories, so it becomes easier for shoppers to compare.
In its current phase, Nutri-Mark covers five food groups that have the biggest impact on public health in the UAE. These include cooking oils, bread and pastries, sweetened drinks, dairy products, and cereals, especially children’s food. Over time, the grading system will expand to include all food sold in Abu Dhabi.
Why Brands Are Acting Early
The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) has taken a measured approach. Instead of strict enforcement from day one, the strategy is to focus on education, engagement, and market readiness.
Manufacturers have started signing pledges to adopt Nutri-Mark. Several have already reformulated products to achieve better grades. Healthier ingredients, reduced sugar, and clearer labelling are becoming competitive advantages rather than compliance headaches.
QCC officials say companies appreciate the gradual rollout, which allows time to adjust recipes and packaging without disrupting supply chains.
How Compliance Will Be Checked?
Nutri-Mark is backed by a robust verification system. Brands calculate their own scores using a published technical standard. QCC carry regular inspections of around 1 million products annually. If products fail to meet standards or carry inaccurate labels, authorities can withdraw them from shelves. For now, enforcement leans toward correction and support rather than penalties.
What Shoppers Will See And Use
During the transition period, Nutri-Mark ratings will also be accessible digitally, and you can easily scan products on the TAMM platform to view nutrition scores. This system works even if the physical label has not printed yet on the product. The grading system makes comparisons faster and clearer, especially for families trying to make better everyday choices.
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A Bigger Push For Preventive Health
Nutri-Mark sits within Abu Dhabi’s wider Healthy Living Strategy, which focuses on prevention rather than treatment. By nudging both brands and consumers in the same direction, Nutri-Mark signals a shift toward a food environment to make healthier choices easier.
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