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.

The launch reflects the UAE’s ambition to build a more competitive food sector that supports businesses, facilitates trade and contributes to economic growth. As the first major regulated initiative introduced under the UAE Food Cluster, the NFC establishes a national framework for trusted product data, helping improve market efficiency and strengthen commercial activity across the food and beverage industry.

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 exchange accurate data through a common framework.

The NFC also forms part of the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, supporting more efficient registration and regulatory processes for the food industry. By enabling government entities, retailers, and businesses to work from the same reliable data source, it helps reduce duplication and simplify administrative procedures.

For businesses, this means a clearer route for getting products recognised across the market, while supporting alignment with customs requirements, product ownership and end-to-end traceability. The platform also helps improve visibility of parallel imports and strengthen controls around inaccurate or misleading product claims.

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.

“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,” said Rami Habbal, CEO of GS1 UAE.

“At GS1 UAE, our commitment is to be the trusted data partner of the UAE ecosystem, and the NFC is an important step in that journey. Together with the UAE Food Cluster and partners, we will continue to build on this foundation so that trusted data becomes a lasting advantage for the UAE food sector,” added Habbal.

During his opening address at the Forum, Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food and Beverages Manufacturers Group said, “Recent years have tested every link in our food value chain, and what carried us through was an ecosystem working together as one. The Cluster’s role is to remove obstacles across the value chain so the sector can move faster and grow bigger, and the National Food Catalogue, our first initiative, does exactly that. 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.”.

Designed by the industry, for the industry, the NFC supports businesses of all sizes, retailers, and other stakeholders across the food sector. It has been developed as a shared foundation that can evolve to support new use cases and services over time. Its applications span product registration, customs, retail, traceability, and the promotion of UAE-made products, demonstrating its potential to support a growing range of industry needs.

The launch marks the beginning of a broader national effort to streamline information exchange, support trade and strengthen the competitiveness of the UAE food sector.

Some desserts are simply memories you can eat. A warm crumble, golden on top, with custard poured generously over it, is one of them. It is this feeling that sits at the heart of Mama Crumble, the mother-and-daughter dessert brand now making itself at home at Ripe Market, Academy Park. From 10 October, its outlet will serve every day of the week for an eight-month residency, bringing a little comfort to Dubai’s cooler months. Alongside the residency, the brand is extending delivery across most of Dubai from 1 October, adding matcha and coffee to its menu and preparing to unveil a series of exclusive new crumble flavours.

Made the Way Mum Makes It

Founded by Yasmin and Zoya Kidwai, Mama Crumble began at the family table. Crumble was the dessert of birthdays, rainy weekends and long, unhurried lunches, always made to Mum’s recipe and never in need of changing. Since launching at Taste of Dubai in February 2026, the pair have been sharing that same recipe, and that same feeling, with the city as Dubai’s first homegrown British Crumble Bakehouse.

The approach is simple: traditional crumble, done properly. Apples are gently cooked with cinnamon into a soft compote, topped with a buttery shortbread crumble and finished with silky vanilla bean custard. Quality ingredients and authentic, comforting flavours come first, with no over-the-top toppings or sauces competing for attention. At Mama Crumble, the crumble is the hero, though each pot can still be made your own, whether with a crackling custard brûlée or a crunch of homemade granola.

“Crumble has always been home in a bowl for us,” says Zoya Kidwai, Co-Founder of Mama Crumble. “It’s the dessert that brought everyone together to the table. We wanted to share that comfort with Dubai, made exactly the way Mum has always made it.”

 Crumble at the Market and at Your Door

Beyond the market, Mama Crumble now delivers across most of Dubai via Deliveroo, Talabat, Careem and Noon, with the team delivering directly wherever the apps don’t reach. On the menu, matcha and coffee now sit alongside the classic apple crumble. At Ripe crumble lovers will have an additional flavour which is the mixed berry crumble, in addition to new flavours that will be revealed over the coming months, each rooted in tradition. This season, the brand will also pop up at Taste of Dubai, Taste of Abu Dhabi, the 1 Billion Followers Summit and e& Beach Canteen.

“Cravings don’t keep to a schedule, so neither do we,” says Zoya. “With the truck at Academy Park every day and delivery across most of Dubai, that sudden urge for something warm, buttery and sweet can be answered whenever it strikes. There’s nothing quite like the moment a craving meets comfort, and that’s exactly what every pot is made for. And we have a few new flavours up our sleeve that we can’t wait for people to try.”

Mama Crumble is a welcome addition to Dubai’s dessert scene, a place where tradition, quality, and a genuine sense of home sit side by side.

Mama Crumble is open daily at Ripe Market, Academy Park, Umm Suqeim, from 10 October. Visit mamacrumble.com or follow @mamacrumble.ae on Instagram to stay updated with all the news. For delivery, you can place your order through the delivery platforms directly or contact the Mama Crumble team on 050 682 1741.

Form Room is an Aussie café in Jumeirah Village Circle, bringing together creative all-day dining, specialty coffee and a relaxed indoor-outdoor setting at Binghatti Jasmine. Casual, playful and a little nostalgic, the café takes inspiration from the feeling of gathering around a school lunch table, where good food, good company and plenty of conversation come together.

Located in Al Barsha South 4, Form Room has been created with the JVC community in mind, offering an easy neighbourhood spot for everything from an early morning coffee and breakfast to a post-workout bite, casual lunch or afternoon catch-up. The café is also pet-friendly, welcoming four-legged companions into its relaxed indoor and outdoor space and making it a natural meeting point for the local community.

The menu follows the same uncomplicated, playful approach, with familiar comfort food given a creative Form Room twist. The sandwich selection offers hearty, grab-and-go options with fillings ranging from loaded egg and crumbed chicken to slow-cooked beef, all made with quality ingredients.

The menu also includes choices such as the Açaí Business Bowl, topped with granola, coconut yoghurt, fresh fruit and chia, alongside fresh juices and other options for those craving something lighter without compromising on flavour.

Adding to the café’s offerings are The Heavy Hitters, two new protein shakes created with the active crowd in mind. Antioxidant Muscle Fuel and Strawberry Surge bring a more functional element to the drinks menu, providing convenient options for those looking to refuel before or after their daily routine.

Coffee remains at the heart of the Form Room experience, with a specialty coffee menu spanning classic espresso-based favourites and signature drinks such as the Spanish Latte, Spanish Cortado, Affogato and Mocha. For those looking beyond coffee, the menu includes matcha, fresh juices, iced teas, lemonades, giving guests plenty of reasons to drop by throughout the day.

The café’s personality extends to its sweet selection, with playful takes on familiar favourites including the Lotus Lamington, Crème Brûlée Cheesecake, Coconut Basbousa and Açaí Business Bowl. The result is a menu that balances indulgence with everyday options, reflecting the easy-going spirit of the space itself.

Form Room also caters to families, with a selection of junior drinks including Babyccino and Kid’s Chocolate, making the café an accessible option for casual neighbourhood visits.

For added convenience, Form Room is available for delivery through Deliveroo, Noon and Talabat, bringing its breakfast, sandwiches, mains, coffee and drinks to customers across the area.

With ample parking available directly outside, Form Room is designed to be both convenient and inviting.