Initiation and Organization of a Food Composition Database Program

1
Initiation and Organization of a Food
Composition Database Program

• Joanne Holden
• Nutrient Data Lab
• Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center
• USDA
• Greenfield and Southgate, Chapter 2

2
Growth and Expansion of FCDB Programs

• International level-
• -INFOODS, International Network of Food Data
  Systems est. 1983
• -FAO.org/INFOODS
• Regional level-(e.g., Latin Foods)
• -17 regional centres in place
• -Other regional projects, EuroFIR
• National level- ArgenFoods

3
Initiating a National Program

• Single organization may have ultimate authority
  for the FCDB
• Natl policies and procedures will affect the
  organization framework
• National food and nutrition policy may contain
  recommendations for FCDB.
• Program should build on existing experience.

4
Programme Initiation

• Decision for FCDB can be made by government,
  research institute, professional groups
• Food industry can support and encourage

5
Advocacy for FCDB

• Document can be submitted to a govt dept or
  committee or sci. society
• Articles can be published in Sci lit.
• Conference can be held, culminating in a
  resolution
• Production by users or analysts of unofficial
  datasets/databases can be done
• A formal or informal committee can be established

6
Objectives of a FCDB Programme

• Meet the multiple needs of users in different
  sectors
• Work in a cost-effective manner
• Maintain regular consultation with all interested
  parties
• Provide for updating of the data system and any
  databases on a timetable
• Publicize the programme widely to ensure use
• Provide for continuous access of all users

7
Definitions of Users Requirements

• A FCDB should be defined by the uses for which it
  was intended
• A database is essentially a tool for nutritional
  work in the widest sense

8
Stages of the FCDB Programme

• (Will contain Figures from Greengate)

9
Operation of the Database

• Development of a system for the entry,
  documentation, evaluation,
• compiling, and dissemination of the food
  composition data
• Database systems maintenance
• Plan and management of updating of the FC data
  and related information
• Evaluation of the FCDB total operation

10
Summary

• The organization of the national FCDB is a
  complex multi-faceted challenge which requires
• -sustained funding
• -dedicated trained staff
• - comprehensive supportive systems
• The FCDB organization must address the concerns
  of the stakeholders and enlist the support of
  various cooperators.