Development of a new food composition table: An updated tool for estimating nutrient intake in Bangladeshi population

Valid and reliable food composition data have a crucial role in all nutrition-related activities in a country. However, existing food composition tables in Bangladesh date back to 1970s and are outdated in terms of data quality. Consequently, it was imperative to revise the food composition table for Bangladesh (FCTB). This paper describes the generation of an updated food composition database (FCDB) for Bangladesh following international standards. Primary analytical values from 74 foods (including 54 prioritized key foods (KFs)) were generated through component-specific Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) or other internationally accredited methods. Secondary compositional values (analytical, estimated, borrowed, or calculated) were assembled and compiled in accordance with the International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS) guidelines and standards. The FCDB now contains updated and well-structured reliable values for 447 foods and 89 components that will have important usages for all stakeholders in the country and elsewhere.