Location: Methods and Application of Food Composition Laboratory
Project Number: 8040-10700-004-044-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jul 17, 2026
End Date: Sep 30, 2028
Objective:
The Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database (DSID) generates nationally representative data on the actual nutrient and bioactive content of dietary supplements, which contribute concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals, and other constituents to the U.S. diet. Through rigorous analytical chemistry, DSID quantifies essential nutrients, botanical components, and dosage-form performance to understand how these products vary and how they influence total nutrient exposure. USDA identifies and procures supplement products and oversees contracted, collaborative, and in-house laboratories to ensure high-quality, transparent measurements. In alignment with USDA’s priorities to improve human health through precision nutrition, food quality, and better characterization of nutrient exposure, DSID now extends beyond essential nutrients to include bioactives and constituents of emerging public-health significance. The project develops sampling strategies for new product types, applies statistical methods to generate representative estimates, and incorporates advanced analytical technologies to create novel datasets. These efforts strengthen national nutrition monitoring programs by improving estimates of total nutrient intake from foods and supplements, support research on diet–health relationships, and provide reliable data for public health, regulatory science, and precision-nutrition applications.
Approach:
The DSID project uses a multi-faceted research strategy to generate accurate, nationally representative data on dietary supplement (DS) ingredient content.
a. Sample Selection: Scientists at the Methods and Application of Food Composition Laboratory (MAFCL) design statistically sound sampling plans, identify representative DS categories, and select products for analysis based on market share, label characteristics, and public-health relevance. Products are procured through established USDA procedures, and analytical work is conducted through qualified contract, collaborative, and in-house laboratories to ensure consistency and scientific rigor.
b. Analytical Chemistry: Partner laboratories perform detailed chemical analyses to quantify actual levels of vitamins, minerals, botanical constituents, and other bioactive compounds in DS. Methods include validated assays, multi-laboratory comparisons, and quality-control procedures to ensure accuracy, reproducibility, and transparency.
c. Dosage-Form Performance: For solid oral dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules), laboratories assess disintegration and dissolution characteristics to evaluate whether products release their ingredients appropriately, an important factor influencing bioavailability and health effects.
d. Statistical Evaluation: MAFCL statisticians evaluate analytical results to generate representative estimates of ingredient content. This includes modeling variability across brands, product types, and market segments, and producing user-ready datasets that support national nutrition monitoring and precision-nutrition research.
e. Data Integration and Dissemination: Analytical and statistical results are compiled into DSID datasets and made publicly accessible. These datasets support dietary intake assessments, public-health research, regulatory science, and studies examining how nutrient exposures relate to health outcomes.