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.

Contents 1 Software information 2 Food Composition Data 3 Food Intake (types of analysis) 4 Nutrients 5 Populations 6 Nutrient Intake Values (NIVs) 7 Targeted End Users 8 Labels 9 Other Features of Interest and Comments 10 Contact information 11 References

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.

Other Features of Interest and Comments

Contact information

References

Esme´e L. Doets, Liesbeth S. de Wit, Rosalie A.M. Dhonukshe-Rutten. Adrienne E.J.M. Cavelaars, Monique M. Raats, Lada Timotijevic, Anna Brzozowska, Trudy M.A. Wijnhoven, Mirjana Pavlovic, Torunn Holm Totland, Lene F. Andersen, Jiri Ruprich, Loek T.J. Pijls, Margaret Ashwell, Janet P. Lambert, Pieter van't Veer Lisette C.P.G.M. de Groot (2008) Current micronutrient recommendations in Europe: towards understanding their differences and similarities. Eur J Nutr Vol 47(Suppl):17–40

Janet C. King, Hester H. Vorster, and Daniel G. Tome (2007) Nutrient intake values (NIVs): A recommended terminology and framework for the derivation of values. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, vol. 28, no. 1 (supplement)

Nordic Council of Ministers (2004) Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2004: Integrating nutrition and physical activity, 4th edition

World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2004) Vitamin and mineral requirements in human nutrition, Second edition. Geneva, World Health Organization and Rome, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

A list of companies providing nutritional analysis support packages

Menu planning nutrient analysis software