Abstract

SAMMAN, N  and  PM DE PORTELA, ML. Current situation and future prospects of food composition tables and databases in the frame of latinfoods/infoods networks. Diaeta [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.132, pp.29-34. ISSN 1852-7337.

The present knowledge on food composition is currently very deficient in Argentina. The first Argentine Food Composition Table was published in 1942, being a pioneering work in Latin America. However, there was no continued work in the area. Therefore, in order to satisfy the needs of nutritionists, La Plata and Cordoba Universities carried out two compilations collecting the old data and adding foreign and food industry information. In 1983, the International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS) was created. In this frame, the Latin American Network of Food Data Systems (LATINFOODS) was formed, and Argentina created its National Network (ARGENFOODS), with the promotion of the Dirección Nacional de Alimentos de la Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimentos (Food National Administration of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food - SAGPyA). The programmed activities were: 1) Compilation and validation of the old data; 2) Incorporation of new data; 3) Elaboration of an electronic National Database; 4) Publication of a table on "Lipid Content in Foods". The National Ministry of Health used this information to elaborate an IT Programme (SARA) with the aim of analyzing the data of the National Survey of Food and Nutrition (2005). At present, the FAO Project (TCP/RLA/3107) "Development of Databases and Food Composition Tables from Argentina, Chile and Paraguay to strengthen International Commerce and consumers' safety" is coming to an end. The present proposal is to foster the development of strategic alliances between government institutions, universities, the food Industry and professional associations in order to carry out a continuous work in the field of food composition management at the institutional and national level.

Keywords : Internacional Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS); Latinoamerican Network of Food Data Systems (LATINFOODS); ARGENFOODS; Argentinian Food Composition Table anad Databases.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )