The Importance of Food Composition Data to Enhance Nutrition
The event “The Importance of Food Composition Data to enhance Nutrition” explored how reliable food composition data provides the foundation for many effective nutrition actions. A panel of experts discussed food composition data, explaining what it is, highlighting how accurate, up-to-date and country specific data are critical, and how important it is to build capacities and fill data gaps. Several impactful examples were provided, highlighting how composition data for neglected and underutilized crops, and aquatic foods, are crucial to improve dietary diversity and enhance nutrition, in addition to offering environmental, economic and social benefits. Recent FAO flagship publications where food composition data has been used as a critical data input were showcased, and opportunities for collaborative efforts were discussed. Finally, the event also demonstrated the critical use of food composition data for understanding nutrient intakes and informing policies, programmes and dietary recommendations.
Speakers:
- Mitsuaki Shindo, Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome. Embassy of Japan in Italy / Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Rome
- Fernanda Grande, Food and Nutrition Division, ESN
- Mphumuzi Sukati, FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) (by video recording)
- Marian Kjellevold, Institute of Marine Research, Norway
- Sandra Patricia Crispim, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil
- Nancy Aburto, Deputy Director, Food and Nutrition Division, FAO
- Bridget Holmes, Food and Nutrition Division, FAO