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Nutri-Mark System Explained: How to Read Abu Dhabi’s New A-to-E Food Labels

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3 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Shorya

Abu Dhabi is transforming the way residents shop for groceries through the introduction of the Nutri-Mark food labeling system. The project is launched by the Abu Dhabi Government’s Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council with the support of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre to enhance the accessibility of healthier food options and clarify the information.

The Nutri-Mark system constitutes an important component of the Healthy Living Abu Dhabi programme, which aims at promoting consumers to adopt healthier dietary choices without having to limit their choices. A simple letter-grade designation coded into a color (A, B, or C) will help consumers make faster, healthier decisions based on looking at the food label, and eliminate the need for a nutrition table.

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What is a Nutri-Mark System?

Nutri-Mark is a front of pack nutritional rating system which assesses packaged foods and drinks against a wholefood approach to nutrients. When purchasing the products, the consumers can easily compare similar products through the grades ranging from A to E that every outcome obtains.

It is determined by a standard formula which evaluates the nutritional profile of each 100 gr. or each 100 ml of a product. The foods with higher amounts of good nutrients get higher marks, while foods with higher amounts of sugar, saturated fat, sodium or calories get lower marks.

Understanding the A-to-E Grades

In maintaining the Nutri-Mark scale, letters and colours are used to enable consumers to make decisions faster.

Grade A (Dark Green)

Grade A (Dark Green) are the healthiest choices. The foods typically have low amounts of added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium, and are high in fiber, protein, fruit, vegetables, nuts, or healthy oils.

Grade B (Light Green)

Foods that are safe for regular eating and have a good nutritional profile are graded as Grade B (Light Green).

Grade C (Yellow)

Grade C (Yellow) represents products with a balance in nutritional composition. These can have moderate amounts of sugar, salt or processing and still be a healthy food.

Grade D (Light Orange)

Foods that fall under Grade D (Light Orange) are foods that are only lower in nutrition value and high in one of the following: sodium, saturated fat or refined carbohydrates.

Grade E (Dark Orange)

Grade E (Dark Orange) is given to products that have the lowest nutritional value, typically high in sugars, unhealthy fats or salt, such as ultra processed foods.

Which Products Must Display Nutri-Mark?

The first part of the rollout will start with five key food categories that are regularly bought by families. They include foods such as dairy products and dairy alternatives, packaged and fresh breads and pastries, beverages, cooking oils and fats, and foods aimed at children like cereals and snack products. Other categories are planned to be featured in later stages.

Supporting Healthier Shopping Habits

Nutri-Mark is part and parcel of the wider works that Abu Dhabi has undertaken as a public health policy. As advertising for healthier A and B rated products becomes more prominent in more popular sections of the supermarket, including entrances, cashier counters and promotions, less nutritious food items are being moved away from impulse buying locations.

This behavioural method promotes one-to consume in healthier ways without restrictions or prohibitions.

How to Check Product Ratings?

The residents have another opportunity to check on the ratings of the products digitally via TAMM, a platform owned by Abu Dhabi. The TAMM app allows shoppers to grab a product with the built-in camera and type it into the app resulting in the display of the official nutrition score and other nutritional data before purchasing.

FAQs

What is it that the Abu Dhabi Nutri-Mark is?

A Nutri-Mark system grades packaged foods and drinks from A to E depending on their nutritional quality, and is found at the front of the pack.

What is the meaning of a grade A label?

Products labelled as Grade A have the highest amount of beneficial nutrients, so they have the best nutritional profile with lower levels of sugar, saturated fat and sodium.

Which are the items that have Nutri-Mark?

First, foods that will be rolled out include dairy products, breads and pastries, beverages, cooking oils and fats, and food products for children.