UAE’s Nutri-Mark labelling, packaging system goes digital with TAMM app for A-to-E food grading

UAE – The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council has launched a digital Nutri-Mark feature through the TAMM app, enabling consumers to scan QR codes on packaged food products and receive an instant A-to-E nutritional grade, with the system now live across four major retail chains in the emirate.

The Nutri-Mark front-of-pack labelling system, approved by the QCC in 2025, uses a traffic light colour system combined with alphabet grades to classify food products from Grade A (dark green, highest nutritional quality) to Grade E (red, lowest). 

The grading is determined by nutritional components including fat content, saturated fats, carbohydrates and sugars, protein, fibre, salt content and calorie values. 

The system currently applies to five priority product categories, breads and pastries, food targeted at children, cooking oil, beverages, and dairy products, with plans to expand to all packaged foods sold in Abu Dhabi. 

How TAMM App Scanning and QR Codes Simplify Nutritional Decision-Making at Point of Purchase

Consumers can now scan Nutri-Mark QR codes on packaging using the TAMM app, the official digital hub for Abu Dhabi government services. 

The QR code labelling system provides instant access to nutritional information at the exact moment consumers make purchasing decisions, encouraging healthier eating habits.

Abdullah Hassan Al Maeeni, QCC spokesman, stated that the four participating retailers play a very important role as they directly access a large consumer base across the region, giving the Nutri-Mark label widespread visibility. 

He added that their strong influence will also encourage food firms to comply with this system by either voluntarily using the label on their packaging or reformulating to get better grades. 

Aisha Al Marzouqi, Executive Director of Customer Experience at TAMM, noted that digitalisation and smart solutions are becoming increasingly important, and the agency has seen a rise in consumers shifting to digital solutions to access knowledge.

Why Voluntary Reformulation and Mandatory Compliance Drive Healthier Food Options

The system has not yet been made mandatory in the UAE, but as of 2026 some of the region’s largest food brands have already reformulated or launched products with better nutritional quality in order to attain better grades on their packaging. 

Manufacturers calculate their own Nutri-Mark scores using a published technical standard, which are then verified through inspections. 

The initiative is built on three core pillars: health, promoting nutritional awareness and supporting disease prevention; quality, establishing accurate and transparent criteria for food classification; and technology, providing consumers with intuitive digital tools for easy access to information.

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