The Second Step—Conservators of the National Nutrient Database

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University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Agricultural Research Magazine Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska

3-2012

Rosalie Marion Bliss USDA-ARS, [email protected]

Joanne Holden USDA-ARS, [email protected]

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usdaagresmag

Part of the Agriculture Commons, Animal Sciences Commons, Food Science Commons, and the Plant Sciences Commons

Bliss, Rosalie Marion and Holden, Joanne, "The Second Step—Conservators of the National Nutrient Database" (2012). Agricultural Research Magazine. 138. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usdaagresmag/138

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Agricultural Research Magazine by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The Second Step—Conservators of the National Nutrient Database 1XWULWLRQ0RQLWRULQJ AThree-Part Series

● Monitoring Best Practices for compiling their food-composition data- work with a large number of industry Food Analysis p. 4 bases. “The Standard Reference—called groups, because they recognize the value ● Monitoring Food-Supply ‘SR’for short—is thefoundation of almost of being represented in the publicly avail- all of the food and nutrition databases, able SR database.” Nutrients p. 8 whether commercial or nonprofit, used The SR database includes more than ● Monitoring the U.S. Population’s in the United States,” says Holden. “It is 7,900 foods—and provides nutrient- Diet p.16 critical for national food policymakers, composition values, called “nutrient researchers, and those responsible for profiles,” for each of these food entries. monitoring nutritional status and dietary SR is available both online and via free intake.” download. There is no intellectual prop- The laboratory’s researchers have de- erty restriction on the database—which veloped a system for getting commonly is updated annually—and academic, non- consumed foods identified, obtained, and profit, commercial, and other governmental analyzed for their nutrient content, says scientific communities are encouraged to or more than 115 years, the U.S. NDL nutritionist David Haytowitz. “We download it. Department of Agriculture has provided data on the nutrient composition of foods in the The food industry is responsible for the accuracy of nutrition facts panels required on packaged-food American diet. Over time, aseries of USDA labels. Some food manufacturers use data from the national nutrient databases, provided by the F Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, to calculate values. institutions responsible for providing this data evolved, and today the data comes from the Beltsville Human Nutrition Re- search Center (BHNRC), part of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. “Our mission is to ensure that science- based nutrient profiles exist for the U.S. food supply,”says nutritionist and research leader Joanne Holden, who heads the Nu- trient Data Laboratory (NDL) at the nutrition center, which is located in Beltsville, Maryland. “We work with other BHNRC, private, and public-sector scientists to ac- quire, evaluate, and disseminate accurate nutrient-profile data on foods—and now certain dietary supplements—consumed in the United States.” (See “National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program,”page 14.) Researchers at NDLare the conservators of theNationalNutrientDatabasefor Stan- dard Reference, the major authoritative source of information about food composition used in the United States. Some of the data is also used by other countries in STEPHEN AUSMUS (D1830-30)

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9255_March2012r2-15.indd 8 2/15/12 11:50 AM A Moving Target A major challenge in keeping the SR database current, according to Holden, ,QVLGHWKH1XWULHQW 'DWD/DERUDWRU\ is that the U.S. food supply has changed STEPHEN AUSMUS (D2440-1) dramatically and has become increasingly To get an idea of the breadth of dynamic. Studies have shown that about 30 users of the National Nutrient Data- years ago, more people cooked at home. Now, people often pick up what are called base for Standard Reference (SR), “multi-component”prepared foods from a $JULFXOWXUDO5HVHDUFK magazine sat widevariety of restaurants and ready-to-eat down with Nutrient Data Laboratory market counters nationwide. research leader and nutritionist Another challenge is that across the Joanne Holden (left) to learn more. United States, there are hundreds of thousands of food products in stores—and some come on and off the market annually. More Q: How many users download the national nutrient database annually? than 600,000 unique Universal Product A: Because SR is available free, its use in business, industry, and Codes, often called “barcodes,” are found even academia often goes uncited. Once downloaded, the database on the products in these grocery stores. can be further conveyed in any number of ways, so we can’t track Each barcode includes a unique 12-digit users by counting downloads from our government site alone. manufacturer identification number, and different barcodes are created for differ- Q: What types of commercial hardware and software utilize the da- ent sizes of the same individual product. tabase via download and import? Store managers use the barcodes to track A: Personal and business computers, hand-held devices, mobile inventories and to price items. applications, commercial retail and proprietary software packages, While SR provides a nutrient profile for online tools, and more. more than 7,900 foods, each nutrient profile for each food entry can include about 140 Q: Who are the SR database users? nutrients and other dietary components. A: Our data underlies virtually all research into the nutrition/health In contrast, packaged-food labels carry connection. Users include public policymakers, public and private only about 15 nutrients. “One reason educators, medical and nutrition researchers, regulators, the food we don’t rely solely on a manufacturer’s and supplement industries, consumers, and commercial businesses. label nutrient data is that the label does not provide all the information we need,” Q: Which policymakers use the data? says Haytowitz. A: In addition to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, policy So how do NDL researchers accurately users of the data are federal nutrition assistance programs. These track the food supply to create nutrient include USDA’s Child Nutrition (school meals) and Supplemental profiles? They continuously monitor Nutrition Assistance (food stamps) Programs and the Special Supple- the food supply using annual data from mental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (the WIC the BHNRC national “What We Eat in America” survey and other sources. program). The Department of Defense uses NDL data to formulate They learn of newer products that have feeding programs for soldiers. And international organizations use become popular in the United States as the data for interventions in countries with malnutrition. survey respondents report having eaten Q: Are creators of U.S. commercial retail products for sale that in- the new foods. When the survey uncovers corporate SR required to pay a government licensing fee? popular new foods, “we add them to our sampling and analytical program,”says A: No, the USDA-ARS national nutrient databases are available Haytowitz. “In that program, we arrange copyright free as a government service. for the purchase of representative samples of foods from all over the country to be analyzed using scientifically validated analysis methods, so that the data rep- and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Accuracy Is Key resents average values across the country.” National Institutes of Health (NIH), which “Scientifically validated analytical This careful sampling of the foodsupply also need representative data for research methods are key to our ability to produce is important to other government entities studies and for policy development. (See accurate nutrient profiles and therefore as well, such as the Centers for Disease “The National Food and Nutrient Analysis to the integrity of the SR database,” says Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food Program,”page 14.) Holden. While many foods come on and

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9255_March2012r2-15.indd 9 2/15/12 11:50 AM off the market quickly, NDL has fine- submission, which can be accessed tuned methods for honing in on foods at www.Papayahead.com. “There is with staying power and for those that no better source of real science-based contain “emerging”compounds impor- nutrient data,”says Jenkins. “We tant for researchers. Such compounds wanted to use the nutrient data to cre- include, for example, phytoestrogens ate a product that allows any family or called “isoflavones” and other plant- child to make informed choices about based compounds called “flavonoids.” “We make sure a valid nutrient profile on what they eat, anywhere, in a fun, easy, These compounds make up supplemental popularly eaten foods is in, or added to, our and interactive way.” databases that complement the core SR databases to keep current,”says Holden. Jenkins mostly uses a “freemium” database. Making Nutrition Fun and Games business model, which provides basic, The laboratory also has methods for After being downloaded, the BHNRC useful features for free, but also offers consolidating multiple near-identical national nutrient databases are often im- premium features for a fee. “We recently brand-name food products into an accurate ported into commercial software programs. launched for-fee content—also based on generic profile. Such is the case for the “Apps for Healthy the USDA-ARS nutrient databases—that “We recognize the nutritional parallels Kids” software contest—a competition is designed for registered dietitians and among multiple brands of a single gro- launched as part of First Lady Michelle others who want to publish meal plans for cery product,” says Holden. “We contract Obama’s comprehensive “Let’s Move!” their constituents,” says Jenkins. “Since only with analysts who use scientifically initiative. The goal of the initiative is to we are entering recipes, we needed mostly validated food-analysis methods, which resolve the challenge of childhood obesity single-ingredient food nutrient profiles to enable us to ensure that an accurate nutrient within a generation. work with for all our online content.” profile exists for each type of food item.” “The ‘Healthy Kids’ competition mo- The 7,900 nutrient profiles in the SR (See “Monitoring Best Practices for Food tivated American entrepreneurs, software nutrient database include single- and multi- Analysis,” page 4.) For example, while developers, and the public of all ages to ingredient foods. These include foods that there are many brands of yellow mustard use our food-nutrient data in a fun, en- are raw, cooked, processed, and prepared— on grocery store shelves, through years gaging way through tools and games to from raw eggs to frozen lasagna. of careful analysis, NDL researchers have encourage more nutritious food choices,” The NDLresearchers also produce an ad- determined that a single nutrient profile says Holden. ditional subset database of approximately can represent these brands in the national A runner-up in the “Tools” category, 3,000 selected SR foods and profiles for nutrient database under a line item entitled Dean Jenkins of Olympia, Washington, 65 nutrients. These 3,000 profiles are Mustard, prepared, yellow. chose to download SR when crafting his provided to the BHNRC Food Surveys Research Group,which uses them, and ad-

The “Apps for Healthy Kids” software contest—which utilizes ARS food-nutrient data—was launched as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!”initiative. Here, the First Lady meets with students and chefs during a “Let’s Move!”event.

LAWRENCE JACKSON (P060410LJ-0312)

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9255_March2012r2-15.indd 10 2/15/12 11:50 AM STEPHEN AUSMUS (D2453-1) ditional custom-made profiles, to produce The game is currently another key database—the USDA-ARS available in a prototype Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary form that allows for future- Studies (FNDDS). This database is used development feedback. by the Food Surveys Research Group “Once a final version of the with modern dietary-intake surveying game has been developed, techniques to obtain national-level data we will decide if Trainer will on foods consumed by Americans and the still be available to play for resulting nutrient intakes. free,” says Villatoro. Both of the Beltsville center databases The Beltsville center’s (SR and FNDDS) provide a foundation national nutrient databas- for multiple USDA consumer-education es are also available for products. The “Apps for Healthy Kids” download and use within competition was administered by USDA’s products provided by com- Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion mercial weight-loss en- (CNPP), in Alexandria, Virginia. Contes- terprises and within the tants were required to incorporate one of operating systems of mo- the two full Beltsville center databases or a bile hand-held phones and third database produced by CNPP (for the other devices, such as smart competition) that is based on the Beltsville phones. Weight Watchers, center databases. Allappsremain the intel- for example, which has a lectual property of the individuals or orga- strong online interactive nizations that developed them. Contestants component, uses nutrient Weight Watchers’ online interactive membership program features were also required to commit to providing profiles from the BHNRC nutrient profiles downloaded from BHNRC’s national nutrient the winning submissions free of charge to national nutrient database database to represent the online program’s generic foods. Members the public for a 1-year period. They can be to represent generic foods log in to access interactive tools for managing daily food choices. viewed online at appsforhealthykids.com/ within the onlineprogram. application-gallery. There are thousands of free and for-fee Many nongovernmental nutritional California entertainment software and apps for iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, websites also incorporate the BHNRC game developer David Villatoro and his Windows Phone 7, and BlackBerry hand- national nutrient databases. Michael team downloaded the FNDDS database held devices. Many of these apps are Moorehead, based in Granbury, Texas, is for use in their first-place submission in nutrition/health related and are based on the founder and creator ofCaloriecounter1. the “Game”category, a productcalled the download and import of the BHNRC com, a free downloadable mobile nutrition “Trainer.” national nutrient databases. app. He has been working with the BHNRC “Trainer gives players, who are kids, the national nutrient databases for many responsibility of caring for creatures—all years. “Caloriecounter1.com consists of whom have dietary and fitness needs,” “Tweens” (children ages 9-12) are of a core data set, which is the USDA says Villatoro. “Trainer requires the child, challenged to eat better and be more [BHNRC]national nutrient database,” physically active in PapayaHead.com, or player, to watchhow many calories, pro- winner of second prize in the “Apps for says Moorehead. tein, fat, and carbohydrates are consumed Healthy Kids” competition. Particularly attractive to these program so that the creature can remain healthy.” developers is that the science-based Villatoro also wanted to select food nutrient profiles are available free items from the national database that the of charge. “For this type of private player would be familiar with so enterprise, business owners don’t that players could learn about have to pay a licensing fee to the the types of nutrients they U.S. government,” says Richard J. consume every day. “Once Brenner, assistant administrator players learn how to create for technology transfer at ARS a well-balanced, nutritious and director of the Office meal in the game, the goal of Technology Transfer. is that they will apply what “Commercial businesses can they learn from the game install this data for use in in the real world.” custom, or proprietary, and retail software products.”

BOB NICHOLS (10DI1507-29)

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9255_March2012r2-15.indd 11 2/15/12 11:50 AM Anumber of professionals use specialized For example, Salem, Oregon-based ESHA Clinical dietitian Berit Christensen (right), at the National Rehabilitation software products containing the SR database. Research specializes in nutritional analysis Hospital in Washington, D.C., uses materials from ChooseMyPlate.gov and the USDA-ARS National Nutrient Database to teach a recovering stroke 9LWDPLQ'·V'HEXW The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics software and databases for the United States patient how to manage weight and blood pressure through better nutrition. LQWKH1DWLRQDO (formerly the American Dietetic Association) and Canada. One of ESHA’s products is a has a membership that includes nearly business-to-business food-labeling software the nutritional analysis per serving. ESHA provides its customers 1XWULHQW'DWDEDVH 52,000 registered dietitians, among others, package that incorporates the SR database. regular updates through product-support agreements that include nationwide. Many of these professionals “U.S. food manufacturers must label the SR’s annual updated values. Until recently, authoritative val- run small local businesses in which they food packages and containers with nutri- When it comes to the voluntary labeling of the 20 most frequently ues for the amount of vitamin provide nutritional advice one-on-one. “I ent profiles according to the Code of Fed- consumed raw fruits and vegetables and D in the vast supply of food have an online tool called “Nutrihand Pro” eral Regulations,” says fish, nutritional assessment via proprietary that I use when advising my clients, which products on the market were Elizabeth Braithwaite, software or other means is not needed. FDA contains the USDA [BHNRC] national not available. Researchers at ESHA’s database man- provides posters with general nutritional nutrient database,”says registered dietitian ager. Also, FDA has the Beltsville Human Nutrition information for these items that retail stores Marjorie Nolan, based in New York City. proposed nutrition- can put up in the areas where the items are Research Center’s Nutrient “I use the software for logging in the foods labeling requirements Data Laboratory (NDL) headed sold. NDL assists FDA in the nutritional consumed by individual clients and many for restaurants with 20 data reported for these items, according to up vitamin D food-analysis nutrition tracking features. For more than or more locations. Haytowitz. studies on food products col- 2 years, the software has helped me advise, Theproposalrequires Downloads for Government Use lected randomly from across track, and monitor theprogress of my clients.” that calorie-content Not all commercial downloads for the nation. For the first time, the Food manufacturers also tap the BHNRC information be listed consumer use of the BHNRC national researchers were then able to national nutrient databases. The food industry on restaurant menus nutrient databases come at a cost. USDAalso add vitamin D values for 3,000 is responsible for the accuracy of Nutrition and menu boards, with downloads and imports the national nutrient foods to several of the lab’s Facts panels that are required on packaged- other nutrient informa- databases into innovativefree products food labels as regulated by FDA and the tion available in written nutrient data products. designed specifically for U.S. consumers—to help them achieve USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, form upon request, according to Braithwaite. At the same time, the Institute their nutritional and dietary goals based on the Dietary Guidelines which regulates meat products. These food At ESHA, the SR data is imported elec- of Medicine (IOM), part of the for Americans. manufacturers, particularly smaller ones, do tronically into the master database, which USDA’s recently launched ChooseMyPlate.gov website, which National Academies, invited not always procure chemical food analyses also contains brand name and restaurant replaces MyPyramid.gov, provides a wealth of free tools based NDL researchers to provide for producing information used on packaged- items. The user keys in a product’s recipe on BHNRC’s national nutrient databases. ChooseMyPlate.gov is input to the IOM committee on food labels. Some manufacturers use the data ingredients (formulation), processing losses, developed and sponsored by CNPP. To support the website and revising the Dietary Reference from the BHNRC national nutrient databases and serving size, and the program calculates Intakes (DRIs) for vitamin D. to calculate values. its tools, CNPP has created a new database using several BHNRC

Before the DRIs were revised, At Shoppers Food Warehouse stores, people can learn better nutrition and ways of living with diabetes At home, school, or work, consumers can use USDA’s free ChooseMyPlate.gov, an interactive website for the NDL researchers worked through a program called “Eating Healthy With Diabetes.”Jessica Kiel (left), registered dietitian and creating a customized healthy dietary plan that includes required daily vitamins and minerals, and age- and president-elect of the Maryland Dietetic Association, encourages shoppers to use USDA’s ChooseMyPlate. gender-appropriate daily portions and calorie levels. Users can also tap tools called “Daily Food Plan,” with the nutrition center’s Food gov interactive tools—which use USDA-ARS national nutrient data—to make better, healthier food choices. “SuperTracker,”and “Food-a-Pedia.” Surveys Research Group to provide ARS food-consumption survey data tables showing nationwide actual vitamin D intakes from foods. “Because estimates of vitamin D intake from food were not available until recently, the data tables were key to assisting IOM with the new 2010 DRIs for vitamin D,”says NDL research leader and nutritionistJoanne Holden. These vitamin D developments have made vitamin D the “it” vitamin in recent years among consumers and the press.

STEPHEN AUSMUS (D2445-1)

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9255_March2012r2-15.indd 12 2/15/12 11:50 AM STEPHEN AUSMUS (D2446-5) For example, Salem, Oregon-based ESHA Clinical dietitian Berit Christensen (right), at the National Rehabilitation Research specializes in nutritional analysis Hospital in Washington, D.C., uses materials from ChooseMyPlate.gov and the USDA-ARS National Nutrient Database to teach a recovering stroke software and databases for the United States patient how to manage weight and blood pressure through better nutrition. and Canada. One of ESHA’s products is a business-to-business food-labeling software the nutritional analysis per serving. ESHA provides its customers package that incorporates the SR database. regular updates through product-support agreements that include “U.S. food manufacturers must label the SR’s annual updated values. food packages and containers with nutri- When it comes to the voluntary labeling of the 20 most frequently ent profiles according to the Code of Fed- consumed raw fruits and vegetables and eral Regulations,” says fish, nutritional assessment via proprietary Elizabeth Braithwaite, software or other means is not needed. FDA ESHA’s database man- provides posters with general nutritional ager. Also, FDA has information for these items that retail stores proposed nutrition- can put up in the areas where the items are labeling requirements sold. NDL assists FDA in the nutritional for restaurants with 20 data reported for these items, according to or more locations. Haytowitz. Theproposalrequires Downloads for Government Use that calorie-content Not all commercial downloads for information be listed consumer use of the BHNRC national databases. In fact, the ARS Food Patterns Equivalents Database is on restaurant menus nutrient databases come at a cost. USDAalso specifically being designed for use with the ChooseMyPlate.gov and menu boards, with downloads and imports the national nutrient website and tools. other nutrient informa- databases into innovativefree products tion available in written ChooseMyPlate.gov emphasizes the five food groups: fruits, designed specifically for U.S. consumers—to help them achieve form upon request, according to Braithwaite. vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy and aligns with the consumer their nutritional and dietary goals based on the Dietary Guidelines message to “Make Half Your Plate Fruits and Vegetables.” The At ESHA, the SR data is imported elec- for Americans. USDA Food Patterns, based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, also tronically into the master database, which USDA’s recently launched ChooseMyPlate.gov website, which are available on ChooseMyPlate.gov. also contains brand name and restaurant replaces MyPyramid.gov, provides a wealth of free tools based items. The user keys in a product’s recipe At ChooseMyPlate.gov, individuals can easily create their on BHNRC’s national nutrient databases. ChooseMyPlate.gov is ingredients (formulation), processing losses, own customized healthy dietary plan to ensure that they get their developed and sponsored by CNPP. To support the website and and serving size, and the program calculates required daily vitamins and minerals, while consuming age- and its tools, CNPP has created a new database using several BHNRC gender-appropriate daily portions and calorie levels. On the site’s “Interactive Tools” page, At Shoppers Food Warehouse stores, people can learn better nutrition and ways of living with diabetes At home, school, or work, consumers can use USDA’s free ChooseMyPlate.gov, an interactive website for through a program called “Eating Healthy With Diabetes.”Jessica Kiel (left), registered dietitian and creating a customized healthy dietary plan that includes required daily vitamins and minerals, and age- and users can tap the “Daily Food Plan”option president-elect of the Maryland Dietetic Association, encourages shoppers to use USDA’s ChooseMyPlate. gender-appropriate daily portions and calorie levels. Users can also tap tools called “Daily Food Plan,” that allows them to find out the amount of gov interactive tools—which use USDA-ARS national nutrient data—to make better, healthier food choices. “SuperTracker,”and “Food-a-Pedia.” each food group they need daily, simply by entering their age, gender, weight, height, and physical activity level. The new andimproved USDA “SuperTracker” tool provides users with free diet and physical activity assessment and planning tools. SuperTracker demonstrates how a person’s diet and physical activity compare to the Dietary Guidelines, recommended intakes for nutrients, and physical activity guidelines. Users can get a free nutrient-by-nutrient report, complete with a status (over, under, ok) for single nutrients. The interactive USDA “Food-a-Pedia” provides quick access to food information, food groups, calories, and comparisons. For example, if users wish to check the nutritional difference between spinach lasagna and meat lasagna, Food-a-Pedia

STEPHEN AUSMUS (D2445-1) STEPHEN AUSMUS (D2444-6)

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9255_March2012r2-15.indd 13 2/15/12 11:50 AM STEPHEN AUSMUS (K10304-1) Among the thousands of apps for iPhone, “Researchers involved in population iPod Touch, Android, Windows Phone 7, studies needed special software programs and BlackBerry, many are nutrition/health related and are based on the download to conduct their research and requested and import of the BHNRC national nutrient NIH funding to support their develop- databases. ment,” says Viocare’s CEO and president Rick Weiss. “We developed ProNutra at Downloads for Research Use the request of research dietitians, and the The SR database is also imported into software was refined with help from two custom business software marketed to USDA-ARS human nutrition research clinical research dietitians who develop centers and NIH.” diets for feeding studies, such as clinical trials and epidemiological studies. For Viocare worked directly with research- example, Princeton, New Jersey-based ers at the ARS Western Human Nutrition Viocare, Inc., produces ProNutra and Research Center in Davis, California, and ProNESSy—both of which utilize the BHNRC in developing the software, ac- SR and FNDDS databases. cording to Weiss. The products are tailored to users Downloads for Use Within Local who both design and assess diets. Communities Research dietitians design nutrient- There are more than 5,500 U.S. hospitals intake studies and use such custom registered with the Washington, D.C.- software products, for example, during based American Hospital Association. studies conducted in research hospitals, These hospitals are challenged to provide universities, and clinical facilities nutritionally appropriate meals to upwards nationwide. of 38 million patients admitted annually. provides a quick comparison. Food- As granting agencies, both NIH and There are a number of ways foodservice di- a-Pedia also allows users to find out USDA’s National Institute of Food and rectorsin hospitals achieve thesegoals, and the number of different cups or ounce Agriculture fund epidemiology studies, one is by using software that incorporates equivalents of each food group present also referred to as “population studies,” the BHNRC national nutrient databases. in a food as well as calorie sources (solid which track the nutrient intakes of individu- West Hills, California-based Compu- fats, added sugars, and alcohol) in a food. als within specified populations. trition, Inc., for example, has a software

7KH1DWLRQDO)RRGDQG1XWULHQW$QDO\VLV3URJUDP Are U.S. consumers getting adequate vitamins and minerals from their daily diets? The U.S. De- partments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (DHHS) work together to make sure that thousands of people are interviewed annually about what they’ve eaten. Then research nutritionists translate “foods eaten”into “nutrients consumed.” Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service’s Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center develop and validate analytical methods for ﬁnding out what’s really in the foods, beverages, and dietary supplements people consume. These analytical methods help to improve values in USDA food-composition databases and, in turn, allow food-consumption survey results to be interpreted for a snapshot of the nation’s nutritional status. The heart of the USDA-ARS program to determine science-based nutrient proﬁles of U.S. foods and supplements is the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP). This year (2012) marks the 15th anniversary of the NFNAP interagency agreement between USDA-ARS and DHHS. The National Institutes of Health is the lead agency. Through these collaborations, food-nutrient data are generated and updated on a regular basis for use in a variety of health-monitoring assessments, programs, and studies—as well as by the general public. Private and public agencies use the data to conduct critical population studies, many of which are grant-based.

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9255_March2012r2-15.indd 14 2/15/12 11:50 AM School meal planners use USDA-ARS BOB NICHOLS (20111019-FNS-RBN-1588) national nutrient databases to ensure adequate nutrition. New USDA meal requirements update meal patterns and nutrition standards for nearly 32 million children who participate in school meal programs.

lineup that includes nutrition care management features that incorporate the 23rd edition of SR. The software is capable of analyzing the nutrient content of meals, tracking diet orders, and managing recipes and menus while also measuring nutrition-health outcomes, such as weight change and carbohydrate intake. Food and nutrition professionals within a variety of healthcare and hospitality industries use these Computrition software products to provide nutritionally appropriate meals and assessments. “Our cutting-edge software adapta- tions make use of the BHNRC nutrient IOM issued the report School Meals: Build- of calories required, but there was no cap databases for clinical management, food ing Blocks for Healthy Children, which on the amount of calories provided, since systems management, recipe analysis recommended that the USDA standards the goal was to reduce undernutrition and programs, calorie counting analysis, and for school meal menu planning be revised. poor growth.” for producing FDA-compliant labels for USDA then proposed new regulations Stallings says during the past decade, retail clients,”says Marty Yadrick, director based on the IOM report and after analyz- using the ARS national “What We Eat of nutrition informatics at Computrition. ing comments from the public and from in America” survey, policymakers have Experts involved in the federally funded professional groups, including foodser- focused more on dietary patterns. “What USDA school meal programs, which pro- vice personnel, a ﬁnal rule was published we’ve learned is that if we get the dietary vide lunch and breakfast to upwards of 32 January 26, 2012. This rule requires most patterns right—by providing the right million children during the school year, schools to increase the availability of fruits, foods and the right food groups—children also depend on computer products that vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and will in turn get the nutrients they need.” incorporate BHNRC nutrient data. Many low-fat ﬂuid milk in school meals; reduce Stallings is director of the Nutrition Center of the nation’s school foodservice direc- the levels of sodium, saturated fat, and at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. tors—who oversee meal planning in school trans fat in meals; and meet the nutrition The BHNRC develops and maintains cafeterias and central kitchens—have a needs of schoolchildren within their calorie the gold standard for America’s nutrient long tradition of using USDA-approved requirements. Under the new rule, school data—the National Nutrient Database for computer software products to ensure foodservice operators and directors will Standard Reference. The food industry, that menus meet nutritional requirements. focus their menu planning on mealpatterns commercial businesses, government The SR database has been used to sup- based on adequate food-group intakes for groups, research and academic institu- port a special Child Nutrition Database, both the National School Lunch and School tions, and local schools and hospitals tap which offers nutrientinformation on foods Breakfast Programs. this critical treasure trove of data for a that are commonly served under USDA’s “When the school lunch program was wide variety of consumer and professional Food and Nutrition Service child nutrition originally conceived decades ago, policy- uses.—By Rosalie Marion Bliss, ARS. programs. The Child Nutrition Database is makers were concerned mostly with solv- This research is part of Human Nutri- updated yearly with nutrient values from ing malnutrition. Childhood obesity was tion, an ARS national program (#107) the annually released SR. not on anyone’s radar,”says pediatrician described at www.nps.ars.usda.gov. At the request of USDA, the Institute Virginia A.Stallings, whochaired the IOM Joanne Holden is with the USDA-ARS of Medicine (IOM), part of the National Committee on Nutrition Standards for the Nutrient Data Laboratory, 10300 Balti- Academies, reviewed the school lunch pro- National School Lunch and Breakfast Pro- more Ave., Bldg. 005, Room 107, Beltsville, gram for alignment with the 2010 Dietary grams that produced the new recommen- MD 20705-2350; (301) 504-0630, joanne. Guidelines for Americans. As a result, the dations. “There wasa minimum amount [email protected].*

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