Assessing the nutritional content and adequacy of food parcels among vulnerable Lebanese during a double crisis: COVID-19 pandemic and an economic meltdown

This study aimed to explore the nutritional content and quality of food parcels distributed in Lebanon and assess their adherence to dietary guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and an unprecedented economic crisis. Cross-sectional study (June-July 2020); phone survey (thirty items). Lebanon. Food parcel providers (FPP; 72) involved in food parcel distribution (FPD), mainly to Lebanese households. FPP included international non-governmental organizations (INGO) ( 3), local non-governmental organizations ( 45) and personal initiatives ( 24). Overall, low adherence to the World Food Programme (WFP) food parcel guidelines were observed among FPP for specific food items, including vegetables, fish, legumes and cereals, whereas salt content significantly surpassed the guidelines (all -values