An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include generating a content token, wherein the content token is generated for a particular content type of a particular application service based on a trust relationship established between the particular application service and a mobile service provider; and embedding the content token in one or more packets of a plurality of packets sent to a user equipment (UE) for one or more Internet Protocol (IP) flows associated with the particular content type, wherein the content token is embedded in an unencrypted portion of each packet that is separate from an encrypted data payload portion of each packet.