FoodData Central, USDA's Updated Approach to Food Composition Data Systems. (7th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McKillop, Kyle; Harnly, James; Pehrsson, Pamela; Fukagawa, Naomi; Finley, John
• Is Part Of: Current developments in nutrition. Volume 5(2021)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 596
• Page End: 596
• Publication Date: 2021-06-07
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutrition; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 612.3
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab044_027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-2991

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: A dynamic US food supply and need for assessment of diet on health demands transparent, easily accessible information on foods and food components and related data on production and variability for researchers, health and nutrition policymakers and professionals, and food manufacturers. USDA is to develop an integrated food data system to address these needs and provide capacity for higher resolution compositional data analysis and an increase in available food metadata. Methods: Create an integrated database system with five unique types of data: 1) Foundation Foods - nutrient values and extensive underlying metadata on commercially available foods that are highly consumed either as a whole food or food ingredient 2) SR Legacy (2018), the final release of Standard Reference 3) The Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies - nutrient values for foods and beverages reported in What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; 4) the USDA Global Branded Food Products Database, industry-provided label data for over 350, 000 foods from a public-private partnership; and 5) Experimental Foods that will include information from multiple sources about foods produced under experimental conditions. Results: FoodData Central was first launched in April 2019 and receives major updates every 6 months. Increased resolution of metadata, such as agricultural data, allows users to investigate many factors, including geographical and agricultural practices that affect the nutritional profiles of foods and dietary intake estimates. Continually added data, foods, and sample information provide research insights on attributes that influence the variability of classic nutrients and emerging bioactive compounds of public health importance. Conclusions: FoodData Central (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/ ) is an integrated data system that provides expanded nutrient profile data and links to related agricultural and experimental research. The system's evolution includes exploring and implementing new database technologies and advanced knowledge systems to enhance searching, retrieval, and research capabilities. Funding Sources: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.