Integration activities

WP 1.3  Development of quality framework for food composition data

This workpackage focuses on the importance of quality of food composition data, and is working on establishing procedures and an infrastructure to enable a common understanding among database compilers and users of the importance of quality data and also the requirements of quality assurance (QA). The quality of all new data generated is being critically assessed, using this framework, before it is incorporated into the EuroFIR food composition databank.

This work is needed to ensure that quality procedures are compatible and harmonised to European and international standards. Project tasks are operated through a newly formed Quality Task Force. One task group is working on quality management systems to:

• establish a unique coding system for determining the quality level of data in the EuroFIR databases
• improve transparency and exchange of data among different EuroFIR compliers and international compilers and stakeholders
• encourage EuroFIR compilers to retrieve quality information for existing data and share this with users and stakeholders
• establish criteria for EuroFIR compilers so that they are able to define the quality of new data

Another task group is working on the compilation and computerised systems; this work promotes an understanding of quality requirements of the compilation process and its informatics amongst EuroFIR compilers. Other task groups are also working to develop an integrated approach on quality indices for nutrients, and also training in order to promote the quality management system among all compilers and laboratories.

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: INSA (WP leader); IFR; NUBEL; IRMM; DTU; UHEL; AFSSA; CSPO; NEVO; SLU; TUBITAK; CSL; FVS-FC; DFI; WU; and ETHZ.

WP 1.7  Integrating knowledge, information flow and joint research activities

This workpackage operates the network’s web-based communications, by supporting EuroFIR with a high level intranet facility to enable efficient communication and efficient project management. A key aim has been to optimise integration across the network.

The work of this group includes

• identifying and recruiting new network partners for specific activities or tasks, and advise on is sues regarding intellectual property rights.
• translating sections of the EuroFIR public website (French, German and Spanish)
• broadcasting meetings on the website
• exploring opportunities for new funding, with particular emphasis on new emerging bioactive compounds in key ethnic and traditional foods

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: IFR (WP leader); DTU; UHEL; AUA; UCC; UiO; BNF; UL; Baigent; DFI; AFSSA; BfEL; and CESNID.

WP 1.8  Compiler network and supporting task groups

This workpackage organises and maintains a network of partners compiling food composition data. This EuroFIR Compiler Network focuses on the training of compilers in food description, value documentation and information technology issues, such as those encountered when dealing with food composition databases on the internet. Ultimately, this group is working on establishing and testing a standard food classification and description system for use in European food composition databases, and also on developing mechanisms for linking foods reported in food consumption studies with available food composition data; this will includes procedures for dealing with food aggregation.

The Compiler Network plays a central role in the implementation of the EuroFIR databank system and is supported by 3 task groups: CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) Standards Task Group; Food Identification and Description Task Group; and Systems Development Task Group. The CEN Standards Task Group is preparing the standards for food data documentation by setting up a working group for establishing a European Standard on food composition data. The Food Identification and Description Task Group are testing the aptitudes of the proposed food classification and description procedures for food record indexing and retrieval. The Systems Development Task Group will set up and implement the final EuroFIR Databank System.

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: AFSSA (WP leader); DTU; GUT; RUG; NUBEL; NCPHP; KTL; IceTec; BfEL; NKUA; UCC; BGU; INRAN; CSPO; NEVO; UIO; NFNI; INSA; UVI; CESNID; FRI; NFA; TUBITAK; EBI; Polytec; IDUFIC; NNC; ETHZ; IMR; FVS-FC; DFI (WP leader); IFR; and WU.

Research activities

WP 2.1  Users, stakeholders and sustainability planning

This workpackage focuses on determining the extent to which food composition data is used by various user and stakeholder groups in Europe. The work aims to identify what structures can facilitate interaction between stakeholders, users and compilers of food composition data on a national level, and also to determine whether they are sustainable in the future.  Much of this work is done via workshops designed to obtain the views of key user groups of food composition data from outside of the EuroFIR network about the tools currently used and envisioned to be used in the future to access data, and mechanisms to communicate stakeholder requirements to compilers. Stakeholder discussions will focus on what food composition data are being used for in their field, the tools that they are currently using or would like to use in the future to access data, and the mechanisms that they find appropriate and effective to communicate their requirements to data compilers. It is also important to determine the appropriateness of, and potential acceptability of, information gained from an Internet-based food composition databank systems.

This work package also includes the completion of an inventory of European nutrition analysis software. Furthermore, interviews with developers/marketers of nutrition analysis software are held to better understand their wants and needs, and their relationship with the national food composition database managers and customers. The collected information will provides a general overview of the range and type of products currently marketed. The findings at this stage have been summarised and written up in the form of a paper for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

In addition, this workpackage is developing and implementing a sustainability plan for EuroFIR’s outputs; this helps to identify how the EuroFIR databank system and other outputs can be sustained and what actions are necessary to ensure their long-term durability. In the context of sustainability, it is imperative to consider the motivation for stakeholders to produce and maintain food composition database systems. In addition, it is important to understand which parts of the data production process they “own” in terms of providing management, funds or carrying out tasks. 

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: US (WP leader); KTL; BfEL; TTZ; AUA; INRAN; INSA; BNF; IRMM; DTU; INRAN; FRI; NNC; FVS-FC; AFSSA; NFA; and DFI.

WP 2.2  Composite, processed and novel foods

This workpackage involves working with food industry corporations (e.g. CIAA – the voice of the European food and drink producers) and ILSI’s Task Forces to specify standard procedures for the calculation of the composition of prepared and composite foods from ingredients or intermediate products; this includes application of yield and nutrient retention factors, and formulating standard sets of these factors.

The general availability of composition data on food industry products has been investigated, and also the flow of this information between industry and database compliers. Guidelines have been established for incorporating industry data into food composition databank systems and a network for collaboration with food industry corporations has been built across Europe, in order to facilitate data transfer.

This work package has finished its work by June 2007. 

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: TTZ (WP leader); KTL (WP leader); IFR; RUG; NUBEL; AFSSA; IceTec; BfEL; ILSI; AUA; INRAN; CSPO; WU; UiO; CESNID; NFA; TUBITAK; US; FVS-FC; ETHZ; DFI; and DTU.

WP 2.3.1  Traditional foods

This work package is working on providing new and reliable data on the nutritional composition of ethnic foods from seven European countries (Belgium, France, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and UK) and Israel for inclusion in national food composition databases. In order to achieve this, standards and mechanisms have been developed for sampling and analysing foods, to harmonise procedures. Eight accredited laboratories have analysed about 100 ethnic foods within EuroFIR and with additional funding from the FSA in the UK.

Chemical analysis is expensive and, therefore, alternative approaches may provide useful data, such as information from recipe calculation which is particularly important for ethnic foods, which are mainly produced by small and medium enterprises. A standard has been developed for addressing the key criteria for selecting recipes; guidelines for recipe recording, establishing yield and retention factors, and using existing recipe calculation software. 

Dissemination is taking place widely as well as exchanging information within EuroFIR. The work package leader, University of Leeds, organises workshops to bring all partners together and to develop harmonised methods for producing new data on ethnic foods, exchange, collaborate and enhance the knowledge and skills required for recipe calculation and to finally agree on a standard for calculating nutrients. Outcomes of the workpackage on ethnic foods have been presented at various European and international meetings and conferences.

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: INSA (WP leader); NKUA; IFR; GUT; RUG; NCPHP; DTU; IceTec; BfEL; INRAN; CSPO; NFNI; UVI; CESNID; UGR; TUBITAK; and NNC.

WP 2.3.2  Ethnic foods

This workpackage has identified commonly consumed ethnic foods in different EU member states; information on the dietary habits of ethnic populations and general dietary habits has also been collected. This information has been used to set priorities for the collection and analysis of specific foodstuffs. In addition, programmes of dietary advice and diet/health information targeted at individual ethnic populations are also being developed and promoted.

New and reliable data on the composition of foods consumed by both ethnic and mainstream consumers will be produced for inclusion in national food composition databases. Ethnic food samples will be collected and analysed for 30 Indian foods eaten in the UK, 18 North African, 4 Creole and 8 Asian foods eaten in France, 59 Latin American, Mexican, and Chinese/Asian foods eaten in Spain, 31 Oriental/Latin American, North African/African and East European food eaten in Italy, Turkish and ex-Jugoslavian foods eaten in Denmark, 135 Moroccan, Turkish and Surinamese foods eaten in The Netherlands and 24 foods eaten in Israel (Israeli, Jewish, Ethiopian, Bedouin, Mediterranean, Russian, Moroccan & Arabic foods).

In addition to work to provide new food composition data, exchange of existing data on ethnic foods between national databases will also be facilitated. Furthermore, composition data on ethnic foods which is already published will be validated.

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: UL (WP leader); IFR; RUG; DTU; AFSSA; BGU; INRAN; WU; CESNID; and CSL.

WP 2.4  Bioactive compounds

The principal objective of this workpackage is to establish a web-based integrated database, EuroFIR-BASIS, which includes data for bioactive components (e.g. glucosinolates, isoflavones and polyphenols) present in major European foods. This critically assessed compositional and biological activity data is available for both plant and non-plant-based foods (including wine, chocolate & soya products). This information is valuable for health authorities, scientists in the food industry and academia, and consumers in order to investigate potential health effects of foods.

The EuroFIR - BASIS website has been extended to allow the inclusion of critically assessed data on the biological effects of bioactive components. The workpackage is also updating currently available plant and plant part lists to include major European food plants in 15 European languages, and to produce new lists covering exotic food plants, health food plants, and processed plant based foods.

The work is operated through a management group and three task groups:  the Composition Evaluators Task Group, the Biological Evaluators Task Group, and the Plant List Task Group. The Composition Evaluators Task Group is inputting compositional data into the database and initiating a workable mechanism for inputting data for processed foods (e.g. wine, chocolate, soy products) and non-plant-based foods. The Biological Evaluators Task Group is tasked with developing a system to critically evaluate published data on the biological effects of bioactive compounds in plant-based foods and inputting these data into the EuroFIR BASIS database. The Plant List Group is preparing lists of food plants and edible mushrooms e.g. major food plants, exotic food plants and health food plants. The lists are used as a source for selection of food plants for inclusion in the EuroFIR-BASIS database, and it is important to ensure correct scientific names and trivial names are used in several European languages. 

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: DTU (WP leader); IFR; GUT; NCPHP; UHEL; IceTec; BfEL; AUA; UCC; INRAN; UVI; NFA; SLU; TUBITAK; UL; Polytec; and IRMM.

Spreading excellence activities

WP 3.1  Training, education and vision to postgraduates and young scientists

This workpackage aims to promote knowledge, skills development and vision in food composition research within the network, and across Europe through training and education activities, and to promote gender equality in training opportunities and uptake.

Activities include coordinating specialised workshops and training courses, exchange training visits including PhD fellowship awards, training at symposia and conferences, designing and implementing e-learning courses and web-based-information exchanges, and organising an Annual Network Congress. An inventory of specific training requirements of compilers in non-EuroFIR countries in Europe is also being developed.

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: WU (WP leader); SLU (WP leader); NCPHP; UHEL; BGU; IMR; FRI; DTU; AFSSA; and DFI.

WP 3.2  Dissemination and communication

Outcomes from EuroFIR, both from specific workpackages and the network as a whole, are tailored and selectively disseminated to various user/stakeholder groups, both within and beyond the network. Target audiences include:

• Research scientists, health and associated professionals
• The EU agro-food industry and retail groups
• Policy makers, e.g. EU, DG SANCO, EFSA, WHO, FAO
• Consumer groups and teachers
• Food health journalists, other media professionals and associations.

Links with communicators in other FP6 projects are being used to share experience and to organise joint publicity events.

This workpackage is responsible for preparing information of interest to users and stakeholders, including updates on the public website, newsletters (2/year), synthesis reports (2/year), congress proceedings and other resources and visual images to attract international mainstream and technical print and broadcast media. Much of this information is disseminated via the public EuroFIR website, which acts as an interface for stakeholders worldwide. In addition annual congress/network meetings are organised. This is used together with a media campaign to publicise the existence, strengths and potential of EuroFIR.

This workpackage has also actively communicated with and engaged with food industry to encourage the sharing of compositional data for their food products.

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: BNF (WP leader); IFR; FRI; NCPHP; CESNID; WU; and BfEL.

WP 3.4  Gender activities

EuroFIR is also contributing to the promotion of gender equality through a number of actions and activities including auditing of the gender balance, collation and promotion of information on good practice and encouragement of child-friendly meetings.

This workpackage operates to ensure gender balance within the project, and contribute to the promotion of women in scientific research. In accordance with current European Commission recommendations, sex-disaggregated statistics (both within the project team and in research) are collated. Work continues to assess the extent to which women have, and can progress towards having management and decision-making responsibilities within research and the constraints or obstacles to equality are assessed .This workpackage also provides up-to-date information on equal opportunity policies and schemes as the project evolves.

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: BNF (WP leader); IFR; RUG; NCPHP; UHEL; AFSSA; BfEL; NKUA; BGU; CSPO; NFNI; INSA; UGR; SLU; TUBITAK; and FRI.

WP 3.5  Sustainability and income generation plans

To provide lasting benefits for stake holders, the fundamental work EuroFIR does needs to continue after 2009, when European Commission funding ceases. The databank system must be deepened, harmonised, and expanded with additional information (e.g. food contaminants etc), to provide a single internet platform for national specialised databank resources and value-added tools for specific groups such as dieticians or food designer. Its search-ability should be enhanced, and quality standards established, to foster international accessibility and usability. An important means to do so is to convert the EuroFIR project into a legal entity.  

The aim of this workpackage is to ensure that EuroFIR will continue after 2009. A wide range of activities is undertaken in order to strengthen EuroFIR’s relationships with policy makers, and key users and stakeholders. This includes discussions with these groups, presenting the project to a wide audience at conferences, attending key meetings with experts to express the important work being done by EuroFIR, meetings with industry, and other activities that underpin the sustainability of the project.

 The following partners are involved in this workpackage: FCN (WP leader); IFR (WP leader); TTZ; US; IDUFIC; ETHZ; DFI.

Management activities

WP 4.0  Network management and co-ordination

All the management activities aim to coordinate and support the other activities of the network and focus on establishing systems for efficient management. This workpackage is also responsible for technical and financial reporting to the EC, internal communications, and interacting with funding bodies.

The following partners are involved in this workpackage: IFR (WP leader).