Updated folate data in the Dutch Food Composition Database and implications for intake estimates

Background and objective: Nutrient values are influenced by the analytical method used. Food folate measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or by microbiological assay (MA) yield different results, with in general higher results from MA than from HPLC. This leads to the question of how to deal with different analytical methods in compiling standardised and internationally comparable food composition databases? A recent inventory on folate in European food composition databases indicated that currently MA is more widely used than HPCL. Since older Dutch values are produced by HPLC and newer values by MA, analytical methods and procedures for compiling folate data in the Dutch Food Composition Database (NEVO) were reconsidered and folate values were updated. This article describes the impact of this revision of folate values in the NEVO database as well as the expected impact on the folate intake assessment in the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey (DNFCS). Design: The folate values were revised by replacing HPLC with MA values from recent Dutch analyses. Previously MA folate values taken from foreign food composition tables had been recalculated to the HPLC level, assuming a 27% lower value from HPLC analyses. These recalculated values were replaced by the original MA values. Dutch HPLC and MA values were compared to each other. Folate intake was assessed for a subgroup within the DNFCS to estimate the impact of the update. Results: In the updated NEVO database nearly all folate values were produced by MA or derived from MA values which resulted in an average increase of 24%. The median habitual folate intake in young children was increased by 11–15% using the updated folate values. Conclusion: The current approach for folate in NEVO resulted in more transparency in data production and documentation and higher comparability among European databases. Results of food consumption surveys are expected to show higher folate intakes when using the updated values

EuroFIR quality approach for managing food composition data; where are we in 2014?

Food Chemistry - Volume 193: 10th International Food Data Conference (IFDC): Joining nutrition, agriculture and food safety through food compositionA EuroFIR quality management framework was developed to assure data quality of food composition data, incorporating several recommendations developed or improved during the EuroFIR projects. A flow chart of the compilation process with standard operating procedures to assure critical steps was the starting point. Recommendations for food description, component identification, value documentation, recipe calculation, quality evaluation of values, guidelines to assess analytical methods, document and data repositories and training opportunities were harmonized as elements of the quality framework. European food composition database organizations reached consensus on the EuroFIR quality framework and started implementation. Peer reviews of the European compiler organizations were organized to evaluate the quality framework, focusing on what was achieved and on improvements needed. The reviews demonstrated that European food database compilers have made good use of standards and guidelines produced by EuroFIR, as well as a common understanding that a quality framework is essential to assure food composition data quality.The authors would like to thank all colleagues in the EuroFIR projects who have contributed to this work. The work was supported by the EuroFIR Network of Excellence (FOOD-CT-2005-513944), funded under the EU 6th Framework Food Quality and Safety Programme, and its follow-up project EuroFIR NEXUS (GA-265967), funded under the EU 7th Framework Programme.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The EuroFIR Food Platform: Further integration, refinement and exploitation for its long-term self-sustainability-Report on the guidelines for assessment of methods for analysis

Background and objectives Previous investigations have identified that analytical methodology is a key factor in data quality and specific criteria at the component level are needed for comparison of analytical data from different sources, especially by food composition data compilers that are often not experienced analysts. The aim of this work is to describe how the EuroFIR guidelines for assessment of methods of analysis are created and made available to users to support the EuroFIR data quality evaluation system. Method Analytical methods used for production of food composition data include methods for analysis of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Comprehensive information addressing all aspects of analytical procedures was obtained from international standards, quality control procedures and scientific literature. Information on analytical methods was compiled in a confluence WIKI format. Results Information provided for each micronutrient included: background information on the component, description of reference methods of analysis and critical steps, available reference materials, proficiency testing schemes, description of other analytical methods available and relevant references. The information for each nutrient was collated, edited and presented with hypertext links to additional pages where more detailed information can be accessed using full text searches. The effectiveness of the analytical method information for selected micronutrients was tested by EuroFIR compilers as part of an exercise to test and improve the EuroFIR system to assess quality of data from scientific publications. Conclusions EuroFIR GAMA is a valuable tool for compilers and users to access information on analytical methodology in relation to quality of analytical data. The ‘WIKI’ format is a useful tool for preparing information and disseminating the information to users.FP

Harmonised branded foods dataset for FNS Cloud case studies (2017-2020)

The dataset was compiled by merging and harmonisation of different datasets, which were compiled in four countries (Netherlands, Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland) in period 2017-2020 with the use of different methodologies. Dataset was prepared to support conduction of case studies within the HORIZON2020 FNS Cloud project. The dataset includes selected mandatory food labelling information about nutrition composition of foods/drinks within three categories, that are important for reformulation strategies: soft drinks, breakfast cereals and yoghurts

The EuroFIR Food Platform: Further integration, refinement and exploitation for its long-term self-sustainability - Final list of certified FCDB compiler organizations and future plans for continuation of the certification scheme

The planned certification of food composition database (FCDB) Compiler organizations is a key part of the overall quality framework that was developed in EuroFIR NoE and further extended in Nexus (WP1). Task 1.2.2 requires assessment of up to a maximum 20 national FCDB Compiler organisations over 2 years and overall recommendations for continuation in the future. This report describes reviews of 16 FCDB Compiler organisations and summarises conclusions based on the reports. FCDB Compiler organisations have benefitted from the opportunity to review their data compilation processes and identify areas that could be improved and this information is important for their own organisation and management operations. The reviews have demonstrated the impact of EuroFIR developed guidelines for compilation processes and how FCDB Compilers have implemented quality management frameworks.FP

The EuroFIR Food Platform: Further integration, refinement and exploitation for its long-term self-sustainability-Report on Framework for certification Scheme

Certification of compiler organizations is an issue that is part of Workpackage1 on quality standards, certification and thesauri support. Task 1.2.2 requires assessment of 20 national FCDB compiler organisations during the EuroFIR Nexus project. This report describes a framework for the process of evaluating quality assurance procedures related to the process of compilation, management and publication of food composition data. Each compiler organization will be organized and work in different ways but compilers are expected to work within the general framework described by the EuroFIR generic compilation flowchart and will compile data that is compatible with the Eurofir technical annex and with the CEN standard. The aim of the evaluation audits will be to identify strengths and weaknesses of each compiler organisation and improve quality systems through identification and dissemination of ‘best practice’ processes.FP