Outdated Food Databases Threaten Global Nutrition
The data we use to understand the nutritional value of our food is often incomplete or unavailable. This lack of reliable information poses a significant challenge to global health initiatives, potentially leaving communities in the dark.
The Problem with Food Data
Food composition databases (FCDBs) are essential for nutritionists, policymakers, and researchers. A new review published in Frontiers in Nutrition reveals that many FCDBs are outdated, inaccessible, or incomplete. This impacts regions that most need nutritional insights.
Only 30% of food databases are truly accessible. Just 69% can work with other systems. Only 43% easily allow data reuse. These weaknesses diminish their long-term value. Europe, North America, and parts of Asia have better systems, while many countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America lack updated or complete databases.
Without dependable food data, countries cannot detect nutrient gaps or create effective school meals. Breeding crops for nutrition or enforcing labeling laws becomes impossible. There is also a cultural cost. Many Indigenous and rural communities have rich food traditions. If these foods do not appear in databases, they risk exclusion from nutrition programs and policy debates.
The Shortcomings of Current Systems
Many FCDBs rely on borrowed data, leading to inaccuracies. A food’s nutrient content varies based on soil, climate, crop variety, and cooking methods. International comparisons are difficult due to the lack of global agreement on food names, nutrient definitions, and measurement units.
Most databases only list around 38 food components, but modern research indicates food contains thousands of biomolecules. About 39% of databases haven’t been updated in over five years. Some, like those in Ethiopia and Sri Lanka, haven’t been revised since their creation over 50 years ago.
A New Approach
The Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI), managed by The American Heart Association and the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, offers a solution. The PTFI tracks over 30,000 biomolecules. It is designed to be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. All data is freely available, using globally accepted protocols. This makes the information available to everyone, from governments to startups.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that inadequate nutrition contributes to 45% of deaths in children under five. (WHO, 2023)
The Path Forward
Better food data is crucial for improved policies, healthier people, and stronger food systems. Initiatives like PTFI demonstrate that change is attainable. They help us see food not just as calories or nutrients but as a source of cultural identity, health, and resilience.
We must encourage global cooperation, use advanced technology, and ensure fair data access. Everyone should have the right to know what’s in their food and to have their food traditions respected.
