Summary
USDA FoodData Central is the United States Department of Agriculture's centralised, publicly accessible food composition database, integrating multiple legacy datasets into a single platform. It provides standardised nutrient profiles for a wide range of foods, including raw commodities, processed products, and branded items, and is widely used as a reference resource in nutrition research, dietary assessment, and food policy. The 2024 release represents a continually updated iteration of the resource, with expanded coverage and revised analytical values.
UK applicability
FoodData Central is a US-focused resource and does not directly represent UK food composition; UK researchers and policymakers would typically rely on the McCance and Widdowson's Composition of Foods database maintained by Public Health England and the MRC, though FoodData Central may be referenced in international comparative studies or where US-specific branded product data are required.
Key measures
Nutrient concentrations per 100g or per serving (including macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids) across thousands of food items
Outcomes reported
FoodData Central provides nutrient composition data across multiple food categories, including branded foods, foundation foods, and survey foods, enabling researchers and policymakers to assess dietary nutrient intakes and food quality.
Topic tags
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