Abu Dhabi launches mandatory nutrition grading system for some foods from June 1, 2025

Quality control and health officials in Abu Dhabi have launched a new nutrition grading system that must be placed on five food items by June 1, in a move to combat alarming obesity rates among Abu Dhabi residents.

Products found on supermarket shelves without Nutri-Mark, which grades the nutritional content in a food item, will be withdrawn and concerned parties will be fined. This will also apply to items that are displaying a higher grading than it should.

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What is Nutri-Mark?

Nutri-Mark grades the nutritious value of a certain item from A to E, with A being most healthy. The first phase of the new scheme applies to baked goods, oils, dairies, children’s food and beverages.

Manufacturers and local agents of the selected items must conduct scientifically-backed measurements to grade their products accurately and produce Nutri-Mark labels to place on the front packaging.

“Then, we will be conducting supermarket surveillance and taking samples of (Nutri-Mark labelled) products. After June 1, if we find on-shelf products without Nutri-Mark, they will be withdrawn and retailers will be fined,” said Abdulla Al Muaini, Executive Director of the Central Testing Lab at Abu Dhabi Quality & Conformity Council (ADQCC).

Meanwhile, if a tested sample shows inaccurate grading, it will be recalled as well, and its manufacturer will be fined. The value of fines has not been decided yet.

One of the main concerns of manufacturers during initial Nutri-Mark briefings was the added cost in Abu Dhabi’s highly competitive market, nonetheless, all suppliers are expected to comply, Al Muaini said.

Aims of grading system

The new system aims to tackle obesity by providing consumers with clear and easy-to-understand information about nutritional values of products, said Dr Ahmed Al Khazraji, Acting Director-General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.

The recorded rate of overweight residents in Abu Dhabi has reached 61 per cent who are either overweight or obese, and 22 per cent are confirmed obese. The rate of overweight children has reached 37 per cent who are either overweight or obese, with 18 per cent confirmed obese.

“Those are very concerning numbers that we need to act upon today because in the future the numbers could be even more terrifying - not just here but globally as well."

“And those are only the reported case, the actual numbers are probably higher,” he added.

Al Muaini highlighted that regular consumers may not always understand what the numbers at the back mean, and some may not even take the time to read the ingredients.

“A lack of understanding of the nutritional value of food products often leads to unhealthy food choices, becoming a significant driver of the rising obesity burden.”

Many people find it challenging to interpret complex ingredient lists and their health implications,” he explained.

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