Conventions and Modes of Expression of Food Composition Data

Abstract

A wide range of modes of expression is required at the user data base level, determined by the specific uses of the data. For example, data may be needed expressed on the basis of portion sizes or domestic units. In principle, all specialised user data bases can be derived from a main comprehensive user data base, which is essentially an array of nutrients against a list of food items. The ways in which data are held and manipulated within any computer data management system, determined by the preferred operating system or data management routine, are not discussed here. However, compilers of a food composition data base should be aware of several general issues relating to layout.