The Food and Drug Authority launches the book "Saudi Food Composition Tables" to enhance the quality of nutritional data and document national food heritage

The General Authority for Food and Drug, represented by the National Nutrition Committee, launched the book "Saudi Food Composition Tables" as one of the main outputs of the initiative "Assessment of Food Content from Nutrients", one of the initiatives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, within the programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The launch of the book comes as part of the authority's efforts to enhance the quality of national nutritional data, support the development of evidence-based health and nutrition policies, and document an important aspect of Saudi food heritage by monitoring and analyzing several Saudi dishes according to precise scientific methodology. The book aims to provide a reliable national reference for food composition and Saudi dishes data, supporting the preparation of scientific recommendations and guidelines, conducting health studies, and developing nutritional policies and programs, in addition to raising nutritional awareness among the community and enabling consumers to understand the nutritional value of local dishes more clearly. It highlights the nutritional elements present in Saudi dishes, which helps in understanding their nutritional value when prepared according to the approved methodology and quantities, and enhances the utilization of local recipes within more balanced food options, while preserving national food identity as part of the authentic Saudi heritage. The implementation of the initiative included the preparation and analysis of 130 Saudi dishes according to a unified scientific methodology, which included preparing each dish in three repetitions and taking no less than 12 food samples for each dish under the supervision of specialists, followed by conducting the necessary laboratory analyses to estimate 49 nutritional elements from macro and micro elements, totaling over 19 thousand laboratory analyses, followed by reviewing and processing the data to verify its accuracy and consistency. This publication is considered a qualitative step in building a reliable national database for Saudi foods and enhancing the ability of health, research, and regulatory bodies to utilize nutritional data in planning, prevention, and improving quality of life, along with highlighting the Saudi food heritage within a scientific framework that supports public health and maintains national identity. For further details, the book can be accessed through the General Authority for Food and Drug website https://www.sfda.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2026-04/SFCT-A.pdf. It is worth mentioning that the National Nutrition Committee is a scientific advisory committee aimed at improving nutrition and health in the Kingdom and building a healthy community by providing scientific recommendations and opinions in the field of nutrition to relevant authorities, and was established within the organizational structure of the General Authority for Food and Drug, including representatives from various government agencies, a group of consultants and specialists in nutrition, as well as representatives from the private sector.