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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC) » Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center » Nutrient Data Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #233546

Title: The Ins and Outs of USDA Nutrient Composition

Author
item Thomas, Robin
item Gebhardt, Susan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2008
Publication Date: 10/17/2008
Citation: Thomas, R.G., Gebhardt, S.E. 2008. The ins and outs of USDA nutrient composition. University of Delaware, October 17, 2008, Newark, Delaware.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR) is the major source of food composition data in the United States, providing the foundation for most food composition databases in the public and private sectors. Sources of data used in SR include analytical studies, food manufacturers, and the scientific literature. In recent years, USDA National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program has been generating original analytical data from foods sampled nationwide. SR is continuously evolving, with the addition of new nutrients, foods, and updated nutrient values. SR is available via online, PC, and PDA search applications. The data are provided in various reports and downloadable formats. The Nutrient Data Laboratory’s (NDL) other food composition products include Special Interest Databases such as choline, flavonoids, and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC). Some of these data are incorporated into SR, whereas other data are stand-alone tables on the NDL Web site. The Web site, http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata, is easy to navigate and provides a wealth of nutrient composition data for the scientific community and the general public. Detailed knowledge of SR and other NDL products will benefit the audience of nutrition graduate students as it is likely that nutrient composition will play a part in their professional careers.