GS1 UAE the UAE Food Cluster have unveiled the National Food Catalogue (NFC) at the Future Food Forum 2026, introducing a national platform that establishes a trusted digital foundation for product information, trade, and market connectivity across the UAE food sector.
An initiative of the UAE Food Cluster, under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the NFC brings product data into a single, trusted digital environment. Powered by GS1 Standards and Trusted Data Services, it provides a verified source of information that can be used consistently by government entities, retailers and industry stakeholders.
It is designed to support businesses of all sizes, from large enterprises to medium-sized businesses and SMEs, by providing a common product identity and reliable data that can be shared across the food sector.
Single product identity
At the heart of the NFC is a simple principle: ‘register once, accepted everywhere’. Through a single product identity, the platform helps reduce duplicate registrations, inconsistent records, and repetitive processes, while enabling stakeholders to
For retailers and other commercial partners, the NFC provides access to reliable product information through a shared digital foundation. For government stakeholders, it enables more efficient access to product-level data and supports interoperability across multiple government and commercial services.
National Foundation
“The National Food Catalogue gives the UAE food sector a national foundation of trusted product data. With one verified identity for every product, it brings greater transparency from source to shelf and enables government and industry to work from a single, shared source of information,” stated Rami Habbal, CEO, GS1 UAE.
“Food security today depends on connected, trusted data and the agility to act on it. With GS1 UAE and our partners, we are stronger with the data we have, and ready for what comes next,” concluded Saleh Lootah, Chairman, UAE Food and Beverages Manufacturers Group.
