(PTFS17-05-26) Development of the Moroccan Food Composition Table: A National Tool for Dietary Assessment and Nutrition Policy

Monday, July 27, 2026

2:46 PM - 2:50 PM ET

Location: Prince George's Hall B-E (The Hub) - Poster Theater 1 / Poster Board Number: PT1-5

Presenting Author(s)

SA

Salma Azzioui, Master’s degree

Phd student
Laboratory of Botany and Valorization of Plant and Fungal Resources, Faculty of Science, Mohammed V University in Rabat/RDC-Nutrition, CNESTEN, Rabat, Morocco
Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco

Disclosure information not submitted.

Co-Author(s)

HA

Hassan Aguenaou

RDC-Nutrition, CNESTEN/Higher School of Paramedical Sciences, International University of Rabat
Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco
MK

Mohamed Khalis

Université Mohamed VI des Sciences de la Santé, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco
RB

Radia Belkamel

RDC-Nutrition, CNESTEN/Higher School of Paramedical Sciences, International University of Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco
SC

Safaa Chebbaki

RDC-Nutrition, CNESTEN/Higher School of Paramedical Sciences, International University of Rabat
Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco
NB

Nada Benajiba

RDC-Nutrition, CNESTEN/Higher School of Paramedical Sciences, International University of Rabat
Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco
AR

Anass Rami

ISPITS, Guelmim, Ministry of Health, Morocco
LE

Laila El Ammari, Doctor

Ministry of Health
Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco
AE

Amina El Hajjab

IAV Hassan II, Ministry of Agriculture
Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco
NE

Nissrine El Mir

RDC-Nutrition, CNESTEN, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco
AB

Amina Barkat

Mohammed V University, Morocco
JH

Jaafar Heikel

Université Mohamed VI des Sciences de la Santé, Morocco
SS

Souad Skalli

Laboratory of Botany and Valorization of Plant and Fungal Resources, Faculty of Science, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat- Morocco
Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco
KE

Khalid El kari

RDC-Nutrition, CNESTEN
Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Morocco

Objectives: Reliable food composition data are essential for dietary assessment, nutritional epidemiology, and evidence-based nutrition policies. In Morocco, existing tables are limited and do not fully meet international standards. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive Moroccan Food Composition Table (MFCT) aligned with FAO/INFOODS to support dietary assessment, nutrition research, and policy development.

Methods: The MFCT was developed using a systematic data compilation and harmonization process following FAO/INFOODS guidelines. Nutrient data were collected from multiple sources, including peer-reviewed publications, national reports, laboratory analyses, and international food composition databases. Foods were classified according to the nomenclature of the Moroccan High Commission for Planning (HCP) to ensure compatibility with national consumption surveys. Data quality evaluation, documentation, and standardization ensured traceability and comparability. Nutrient values came from three main sources: direct analyses, calculated standardized recipes, and validated bibliographic sources.

Results: The resulting MFCT includes 1,001 food items classified into 14 food groups and provides information on 43 nutritional constituents per food item. Moroccan data sources contributed 25.2% of nutrient values, including 3.5% obtained from direct laboratory analyses of Moroccan foods and traditional dishes. The remaining 74.7% of data were compiled from internationally recognized food composition databases, including those from France, West Africa, the United States, Bahrain, Turkey, and Lebanon. Approximately 16.2% of nutrient values were unavailable and remain missing, highlighting the need for additional national analytical data. The MFCT represents the most comprehensive compilation of nutrient composition data currently available for Moroccan foods.

Conclusions: The Moroccan Food Composition Table provides a key tool for dietary assessment, nutrition research, and evidence-based policy. As a dynamic database, it supports national surveillance, studies on diet-related diseases, and public health interventions. Future work should focus on generating national data to improve nutrient completeness and accuracy.

Funding Sources: CNRST: the PhD Associate Scholarship PASS program