INFOODS contributions to fulfilling needs and meeting challenges concerning food composition databases

Food composition data play a key role in most nutrition related activities. The International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS) has contributed to improving the availability and quality of food composition data worldwide. INFOODS activities include publication of regional and international food composition tables and databases (e.g., Food Composition Database for Biodiversity) and guidelines. Capacity development is an on-going activity through postgraduate classroom courses and distance-learning modules. Training and awareness-raising through these efforts has led many sectors (e.g., agriculture, health, environment, food regulatory) to appreciate the importance of quality food composition data as the basis for policies and decision-making. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.