A recent global review reveals that many food composition databases (FCDBs) are outdated, inconsistent, or difficult to access altogether — especially in the places that need them most. These collections of data typically summarize the nutritional content of different foods, from macronutrients like protein and fat, to vitamins, minerals, and specialized biomolecules like antioxidants and phytochemicals. The study, titled “The state of food composition databases: Data attributes and FAIR data harmonization in the era of digital innovation,” reviewed 101 FCDBs across 110 countries to assess their quality and usefulness.
