Nutri-Score vs Nutri-Mark? What are the differences in nutrition labelling schemes between the UK, EU and GCC?

21 May 2025 | Lewis Wallis, Regulatory Affairs Advisor, Lena Abdou, Regulatory Advisor, Sharon Morey, Regulatory Affairs Manager

Nutri-Score

Nutri-Score is a Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) scheme designed to help consumers make informed food choices at a glance. The system evaluates the nutritional quality of food and beverage products, assigning them a grade from A (healthiest) to E (least healthy). Although the original model was based on the UK Nutrient Profiling Model (UK NPM) used to categorise products as HFSS, the approach contrasts with this binary output.

It uses a scoring algorithm to calculate the overall nutritional quality of products. The model has been revised (2022–2023) to reflect new dietary priorities and scientific evidence. For example:

• Negative points are now assigned to beverages containing non-nutritive sweeteners, reflecting concerns about their long-term health impacts.
• Adjustments have been made to the thresholds for certain nutrients, such as sugar, fat, and fibre, to better align with updated dietary guidelines.

Nutri-Score has been voluntarily adopted in seven European countries, including France, Germany, and Belgium. There have been calls for EU-wide adoption, which would standardise the label across all Member States. However, the proposal has been met with resistance from some countries, particularly those with culinary traditions reliant on high-fat or high-sugar products.

Nutri-Mark in UAE – what’s the difference?

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council introduced mandatory nutrition labelling and for Nutri-Mark in Abu Dhabi. The measures aim to provide consumers with information about the healthy parameter content in Nutri-Mark, and to make more informed choices across consumable products and have healthier options to choose from.

It is expected that all products put on the Abu Dhabi Market after June-July 2025 which fall within the regulation requirements will require the Nutri-Mark label, whether they are manufactured within the UAE or outside of the UAE.

Nutri-Mark is a labelling system implemented in UAE that mirrors the Nutri-Score model in both method and thresholds. It assigns products to one of five letters (A–E) based on their overall nutritional score. There are five colour-coded grades for the Nutri-Mark. Grade A (dark green), a better food composition. Grade E (Dark Orange), a less favourable nutritional composition. The grade assigned to a food product depends on the type of Food, its nutritional value as well as its ingredients.

However, there are notable differences between the two systems:

1. Mandatory vs. Voluntary
   • Nutri-Mark: Mandatory with enforcement first of June 2025 for five product categories sold in Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand scope in the future.
   • Nutri-Score: Voluntary implementation across some EU Member States
2. Product Categories
   • Nutri-Score can be applied to all products on a voluntary basis.
   • Nutri-Mark focuses on specific priority categories, making compliance a legal requirement for products sold within the region. The targeted categories are:
     1. Breads and pastries
     2. Food targeted to children
     3. Cooking oil
     4. Beverages
     5. Dairy products

At present only the above categories are expected to require mandatory Nutri-mark Front of Pack labelling, the remaining products being voluntary. This will be defined in the Regulatory document once issued.

Where does this leave traffic lights?

The Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) scheme is the UK's recommended FoPNL system. Unlike Nutri-Score or Nutri-Mark, it uses a colour-coded approach to highlight the levels of four key nutrients:

• Green: Low levels of fat, saturated fat, sugar, or salt
• Amber: Medium levels
• Red: High levels

MTL is voluntary in the UK and has been adopted by some countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Products in the GCC can still display MTL labels, but those sold in Abu Dhabi must comply with Nutri-Mark regulations if they fall within the mandatory product categories.

Summary table

Aspect	Nutri-Score	Nutri-Mark	Traffic Lights (MTL)
Implementation	Voluntary in 7 EU countries	Mandatory in Abu Dhabi	Voluntary in the UK and GCC
Coverage	All products	Five categories (Breads and pastries, food targeted to children, cooking oil, beverages and dairy products with the intend to expand in the future)	All products
Label design	A–E letter grades	A–E letter grades	Green, amber, red for 4 nutrients

How can we help?

As experts in food compliance and regulatory consultancy, we are fully equipped to support manufacturers and producers aiming to sell their products in the UAE market under the new Abu Dhabi Nutri-Mark requirements coming into effect in June 2025. Our services include assisting with regulatory compliance, guiding you through the Nutri-Mark certification process, and assessing your products to ensure they meet the required nutritional standards. We also offer expertise in front-of-pack nutrition labelling systems, including traffic light labelling and Nutri-Score, helping you align with international best practices and enhance consumer trust. We are committed to helping you navigate these changes smoothly and ensure your products are market-ready and fully compliant.

Need advice?

Got a question related to the Abu Dhabi Nutri-Mark requirements, or any wider concerns around Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) schemes?

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