Prepared Foods Exclusive: An R&D Tool - Nutrient Content Values
Some of the first versions of data were printed booklets of tables with values for nutrients such as fat, calorie and vitamins of both commercial food products and also of raw or processed food ingredients. However, for several years now, the USDA’s searchable “National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference” has been available online. See http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/. A recent update, Release 21, provides an array of nutrient content information for 7,412 foods. For example, values for some 10 minerals, over 22 vitamin forms, over 15 fatty acids and 17 amino acids are given for powdered, dehydrated bananas.
As interest by ingredient suppliers, food and supplement companies and consumers has increased in nutritional components such as antioxidants, isoflavones, choline and other “emerging” nutritionals, the USDA, in conjunction with other research facilities, has provided values of these components in foods. The following databases may be of particular use to those involved in the development of functional foods, beverages and dietary supplements.