The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), represented by the National Nutrition Committee, has officially published the ‘Saudi Food Composition Tables’ book.
The publication is one of the key outputs of the Saudi Food Composition Database initiative, which forms part of the Health Sector Transformation Program under Saudi Vision 2030.
The publication supports the SFDA’s efforts to improve the quality of national nutritional data, support evidence-based health and nutrition policies, and document Saudi food heritage through the scientific analysis of local dishes using standardized methodologies.
The Saudi Food Composition Tables have been developed as a national reference for the nutritional composition of Saudi foods.
It supports the preparation of scientific recommendations, dietary guidelines, nutrition policies, and health-related studies, while also helping increase public awareness of the nutritional content of traditional foods.
According to the SFDA, the publication provides detailed information on the nutritional composition of traditional Saudi dishes, enabling consumers and healthcare professionals to better understand the nutritional value of foods when prepared according to approved recipes and quantities. The information can support balanced dietary planning while maintaining the role of traditional foods within local food culture.
The project was implemented through several integrated stages. The first phase involved the preparation and analysis of 130 traditional Saudi dishes using a standardized scientific methodology designed to ensure consistency and reliability in data collection.
Laboratory assessment of 49 nutrients
To maintain accuracy, each dish was prepared three separate times. Specialists collected a minimum of 12 food samples from every dish, which were then subjected to laboratory analysis. The testing process evaluated 49 macro- and micronutrients, resulting in more than 19,000 individual laboratory analyses.
Following the laboratory phase, the collected data underwent review, validation, and processing procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy before being incorporated into the national database.
The resulting information provides a standardized source of nutritional data that can be utilized by healthcare institutions, researchers, policymakers, and regulatory authorities.
Supporting health policy and research
The SFDA stated that the publication contributes to strengthening the Kingdom’s nutrition information infrastructure by providing a dependable national database for Saudi foods.
The information can be used in public health planning, nutrition research, dietary assessments, preventive health programs, and the development of future nutrition-related initiatives.
The publication also supports the work of government entities, academic institutions, and healthcare organizations by providing access to locally generated nutritional data based on scientific analysis.
This information can assist in evaluating dietary patterns, developing nutrition strategies, and supporting evidence-based decision-making.
Preserving Saudi culinary heritage
In addition to its public health applications, the initiative documents traditional Saudi foods within a scientific framework, helping preserve culinary knowledge while making nutritional information more accessible. By recording the nutritional composition of local dishes, the project supports both cultural documentation and nutrition education objectives.
The Saudi Food Composition Tables represent an important component of the broader Saudi Food Composition Database initiative, which seeks to establish a comprehensive and standardized repository of nutrition information for foods commonly consumed in the Kingdom.
The National Nutrition Committee, which operates under the organizational structure of the SFDA, serves as a scientific advisory committee focused on improving nutritional and health outcomes in Saudi Arabia.
The committee includes representatives from government entities, nutrition consultants, specialists, and private-sector stakeholders and provides scientific recommendations and expert guidance on nutrition-related matters to relevant authorities.
