Global status of food composition database: A short review

Abstract

Diet is a key modifiable factor that plays a vital role in the protection from noncommunicable diseases, which requires the right tool to transform the food consumption into nutrients. The food composition database (FCDB) is a tool that provides a comprehensive information on the various nutrients present in food. It comprises quantitative values of micro and macronutrients found in food that is compiled in an electronic form. Further, the need to develop a national FCDB for each country has been emphasized by health authorities and is greatly important at various levels. The global status of FCDB has improved significantly over the past few decades. Currently, most of the developed countries have established their own national FCDBs, which are standardized and updated on regular basis. On the other hand, challenges still remain in establishing these databases in developing countries, which either lack or keep incomplete and outdated FCDBs. Thus, they mostly rely on overseas or readily available FCDBs, which will ultimately give a rough estimate of nutrients and produce significant errors in nutritional assessment. However, it is massively important to start establishing their own national databases which will undeniably lead to more accurate dietary assessment and food labels, as well as better-targeted nutrition programs and fortification policies in these countries.