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Who uses food composition data?: |
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Data on the composition of foods are essential for a variety of purposes in many different fields of work, for example the assessment of energy and nutrient intake in individuals or groups. They are also necessary to assess the effect of diet on health and disease outcomes and therefore are an essential pre-requisite to epidemiological research. Ultimately, they help in the development of dietary guidelines for population groups and in planning menus for schools, hospitals, prisons and the armed forces. They have even been used to plan the food ration requirements for polar expeditions.
Many uses of food composition data are generic, and apply to most users, such as estimating the nutrient content of foods, comparing different foods for their nutrient composition and identifying which foods are good sources of particular nutrients. Uses of food composition data can also be specific to a particular sector. The table below outlines the different uses of food composition databases within each of the main sectors of use.
Table 1: Users and uses of food composition data.
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Users |
Uses |
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Agricultural sector |
Developing feed with an appropriate nutritional composition for advanced animal performance. |
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Trade, export and legislation. |
May be used in conjunction with health claims and Codex Alimentarius [http://www.codexalimentarius.net] to set compositional standards for foods. |
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Environmental sector |
Ensuring endangered species have access to the right nutrients in their local habitat. |
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Food manufacturers and producers |
To calculate nutrient values for food labelling purposes. May also use information to enable the development of new products with particular nutritional qualities. |
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Epidemiologists and other researchers |
Based on data from food composition databases, programmes have been developed to enable the nutrient analysis of individuals’ diets and the diets of population groups. This enables researchers/ clinicians to identify nutrient intakes among a sample population (from data on food intake) in order to look for trends and associations between nutrients and disease risk. For example this is an important aspect of the current European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. |
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Health professionals and clinicians |
As well as analysis of diets, data on the composition of foods enables clinicians to develop meal and menu plans for patients to ensure they are meeting any specific nutritional needs associated with their condition. For example patients with severe burns need diets containing foods high in energy and proteins. |
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Those concerned with production, sustainability and food security |
Particularly in countries with food insecurity, to ensure foods produced locally will provide sufficient nutrients for survival, or develop food products to be provided to communities for famine relief. |
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Health educators and policy developers |
Information on the composition of foods can be translated into messages to the public about foods for good health, for example which food should be eaten in moderation, and which form an important part of the diet. For example evidence regarding the relationship between CVD and different fatty acids. |
A second Synthesis Report “The Different Uses of Food Composition Databases” has been written by Claire Williamson (British Nutrition Foundation) on behalf of the EuroFIR Consortium, to provide more details on the uses of food composition data. The report can be downloaded using the link below.
This second Synthesis Report aims to:
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outline the different ways in which food composition databases are used
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consider the current limitations of food composition databases
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discuss potential future developments and the role of EuroFIR .
This section provides valuable information for the different users of food composition data
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More Information:
| 2nd Synthesis report - The Difference Uses of Food Composition Databases Download
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