EURRECA Software Criteria

From Eurrecawiki.org

The information is used to describe software is being defined by EURRECA. Please edit this page if you feel criteria should be changed or added.

Software information

General information is provided. Algorhitms used to test diets are also discussed.

Food Composition Data

The underlying food composition database is described. It includes information on whether data from food labels, food supplements and fortified foods are included.

Food Intake (types of analysis)

This section includes information on whether Dietary Intake Analysis, FFQ Analysis, 24-hour Recall Analysis, Dietary Record Analysis is available. Also information on availability of Recipes, Meals/Menus, Portion Size is recorded.

Nutrients

Macronutrients and micronutrients available, including how and if diets are assessed or optimized for micronutriens. Methods to treat missing values are described, and the associated problems with the underlying datasets.

Populations

It is important to understand if and how software address specific groups (eg. children, adolescents, elderly, pregnant women, people with diseases, immigrants).

Nutrient Intake Values (NIVs)

This section discusses which reference values (NIVs) are used, what their source is and whether the user can set her/his own values. It is important to highlight whether the type and origin of NIVs is clearly documented to the user. NIV is an umbrella definition for DRIs or DRVs; NIVs include average requirements (NR, also termed AR or EAR) and recommended intake leves (RDA, RNI, PRI). The terminology varies in different countries. Eurreca proposes the use of the King et al. (2007) terminology.

Recommendations are provided by various bodies across the world. In Europe, the most updated recommendations are those from the Nordic countries (Nordic Council of Ministers, 2004) and WHO (2004), and generally Eurreca suggests their use when there are not specific reasons to use other recommendations.

Targeted End Users

Labels

Food sector SMEs, and large food industry, are important players in implementing recommendations. Ability to create and use food labels, and the conditions of its use, are therefore important. This includes the appropriate use of existing legislation.