FAO/WHO GIFT: increasing the availability, harmonization and use of individual quantitative food consumption data worldwide

Abstract Introduction Understanding the various eating habits of different population groups, according to the geographical area, is critical to develop evidence-based policies for nutrition and food safety. The FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT) is a novel open-access online platform, hosted by FAO and supported by WHO, providing access to harmonized individual quantitative food consumption (IQFC) data, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods FAO/WHO GIFT disseminates IQFC data as ready-to-use food-based indicators in the form of infographics, and as microdata. The infographics intend to facilitate the use of these data by policy makers, providing an overview of key data according to population segments and food groups. The microdata is publicly available for download, and is intended for users that would like to do further analysis of the data. Results FAO/WHO GIFT is a growing repository. By June 2020, 14 datasets were available for dissemination and download, and an additional 44 datasets will be made available by 2022. FAO/WHO GIFT also provides an inventory of existing IQFC data worldwide, which currently contains detailed information on 268 surveys conducted in 105 countries. Conclusions FAO/WHO GIFT collates, harmonizes and disseminates IQFC data collected in different countries. This harmonization is aimed at enhancing the consistency and reliability of nutrient intake and dietary exposure assessments globally. FAO/WHO GIFT is developed in synergy with other global initiatives aimed at increasing the quality, availability and use of IQFC data in LMICs to enable evidence-based policy-making for better nutrition and food safety.

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FAO/WHO GIFT (Global Individual Food consumption data Tool): a global repository for harmonised individual quantitative food consumption studies

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665119000491 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 78 (4) ◽

pp. 484-495 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

C. Leclercq ◽

P. Allemand ◽

A. Balcerzak ◽

F. Branca ◽

R. F. Sousa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Safety ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Policy Development ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Geographical Area ◽

Dietary Exposure ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Food Groups ◽

Consumption Data ◽

Food Consumption Data

Knowing who eats what, understanding the various eating habits of different population groups, according to the geographical area, is critical to develop evidence-based policies for nutrition and food safety. The FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT) is a novel open-access online platform, hosted by FAO and supported by WHO, providing access to harmonised individual quantitative food consumption (IQFC) data, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). FAO/WHO GIFT is a growing repository, which will serve as the global FAO/WHO hub to disseminate IQFC microdata. Currently five datasets from LMIC are available for dissemination, and an additional fifty datasets will be made available by 2022. To facilitate the use of these data by policy makers, ready-to-use food-based indicators are provided for an overview of key data according to population segments and food groups. FAO/WHO GIFT also provides an inventory of existing IQFC data worldwide, which currently contains detailed information on 188 surveys conducted in seventy-two countries. In order for end-users to be able to aggregate the available data, all datasets are harmonised with the European Food Safety Authority's food classification and description system FoodEx2 (modified for global use). This harmonisation is aimed at enhancing the consistency and reliability of nutrient intake and dietary exposure assessments. FAO/WHO GIFT is developed in synergy with other global initiatives aimed at increasing the quality, availability and use of IQFC data in LMIC to enable evidence-based decision-making and policy development for better nutrition and food safety.

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16.C. Skills building seminar: FAO/WHO GIFT: a global repository for harmonized individual quantitative food consumption data

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.767 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

◽

Keyword(s):

Food Safety ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Policy Development ◽

Dietary Exposure ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Middle Income ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Consumption Data ◽

Food Consumption Data

Abstract Understanding the various eating habits of different population groups, according to the geographical area, is critical to develop evidence-based policies for nutrition and food safety. However, there is a lack of data on what people eat, which makes it difficult for policy makers to develop and implement policies that can shape food systems to enable sustainable and healthy diets. The FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT, www.fao.org/gift-individual-food-consumption) is a novel open-access online platform hosted by FAO and supported by WHO. FAO/WHO GIFT is aimed at increasing the quality, availability and use of individual quantitative food consumption (IQFC) data in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to enable evidence-based decision-making and policy development for better nutrition and food safety. The platform is developed in synergy with other global initiatives working with food consumption data (e.g. Intake, Global Dietary Database, FAO/WHO FOSCOLLAB). FAO/WHO GIFT collates, harmonizes and disseminates IQFC data collected in different countries. The harmonization is aimed at enhancing the consistency and reliability of nutrient intake and dietary exposure assessments globally. All datasets are harmonized with the European Food Safety Authority's food classification and description system FoodEx2. The data are disseminated as ready-to-use food-based indicators in the form of infographics, and as microdata. The infographics intend to facilitate the use of these data by policy makers, providing an overview of key data according to population segments and food groups. The microdata is publicly available for download, and is intended for expert users that would like to do further analysis of the data. The main objective of the workshop is to provide participants with the opportunity to understand how to use the FAO/WHO GIFT platform for their work. Participants will learn how to identify existing IQFC surveys worldwide, to compute ready-to-use indicators on food consumption, food safety and nutrition and how to download dietary microdata. In addition, the workshop will provide an overview of the potential uses of the FAO/WHO GIFT platform for developing or improving diet-related policies. The workshop will be structured in three parts. First, the FAO/WHO GIFT platform and its different features will be briefly demonstrated by the panelists. In the second part, participants will be introduced to the FoodEx2 system. In the third part, participants will be divided in small groups to do hands-on exercises using the features of the platform and provide suggestions on how the platform could be improved to better support their work. The target audience are policy makers, researchers and students that work or are interested in the area of dietary assessment, food consumption surveys, nutrition, dietary exposure assessment, agriculture and/or food safety. Key messages FAO/WHO GIFT increases the quality, availability and use of dietary data from low- and middle-income countries. FAO/WHO GIFT can be used to inform evidence-based policy development for better nutrition and food safety.

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FAO/WHO GIFT platform - hands on

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.770 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

R Ferreira de Sousa ◽

V Padula de Quadros ◽

A Balcerzak ◽

T Bevere

Keyword(s):

Food Safety ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Policy Development ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Consumption Data ◽

Hands On ◽

Food Consumption Data ◽

Inventory Map ◽

Global Initiatives

Abstract The FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT) is a novel open-access online platform hosted by FAO and supported by WHO. FAO/WHO GIFT is aimed at increasing the quality, availability and use of individual quantitative food consumption (IQFC) data in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to enable evidence-based decision-making and policy development for better nutrition and food safety. The platform is developed in synergy with other global initiatives working with food consumption data (e.g. Intake, Global Dietary Database, FAO/WHO FOSCOLLAB). The main objective of the session is to give the opportunity to participants to apply the knowledge gained over the previous sessions. Participants will be divided in small groups to do hands-on exercises using the features of the platform. Participants will learn how to identify existing IQFC surveys worldwide using the FAO/WHO GIFT inventory map. Participants will also explore the potential of the Indicators section of the platform according to the needs of different fields of work (food consumption, food safety and nutrition). Expert users will learn how to download dietary microdata and how to take advantage of other data sources using the same food classification and description system - FoodEx2. The workshop will close with a brainstorm session on how the FAO/WHO GIFT platform can be improved to support participants work.

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Harmonizing Dietary Datasets Around the World for Global Diet Monitoring: Methods from the Global Dietary Database and the Global Individual Food Consumption Data Tool (OR06-06-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz039.or06-06-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Dimitra Karageorgou ◽

Laura Lara-Castor ◽

Catherine Leclercq ◽

Victoria Padula de Quadros ◽

Sofia Ioannidou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Food Groups ◽

Monitoring Methods ◽

Food Record ◽

Individual Level ◽

Consumption Data ◽

Food Consumption Data ◽

The World ◽

Dietary Data

Abstract Objectives To systematically identify, compile, and harmonize national and sub-national individual-level dietary data around the world using a common food classification and description system (FCDS); promote collaboration with data owners worldwide; and publicly disseminate methods and datasets to the global nutrition community. Methods The Global Dietary Database (GDD) and the FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT) initiative, in collaboration with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), developed a framework to standardize the characterization of 24-hour recall and food record survey data at their finest level, using FoodEx2 (Figure). FoodEx2 is a comprehensive FCDS developed by EFSA, adapted for international high-quality food characterization and methodologically superior to prior international FCDS. Single food items are characterized through a classification system (hierarchical nested food groups) and 32 description elements (facets), such as cooking process. Standardized criteria, procedures, and templates were developed to: (1) identify and (2) prioritize eligible surveys for FoodEx2 mapping; (3) efficiently contact data owners and obtain approval for public dissemination; (4) allocate financial assistance as appropriate; (5) obtain survey information and assess survey and diet tool quality; (6) train data owners on dataset preparation and FoodEx2 mapping; (7) collect harmonized microdata, including structure, sociodemographics, diet metrics, units of measure, and food characterization; and (8) publicly disseminate methods and datasets via the GDD and FAO/WHO GIFT platforms. Results A total of 151 surveys have been identified as high priority. Harmonization has been completed for 24 European surveys by EFSA, which will be incorporated in the GDD and FAO/WHO GIFT platforms upon approval of data owners; 8 surveys by FAO/WHO GIFT; and is ongoing for another 4. Thus far, the data owners of 53 surveys from 41 countries, including Brazil, India, and Iran, confirmed interest in joining; all surveys either used none or a local FCDS. Conclusions These new methods developed will provide the most comprehensive and standardized databases of dietary intakes worldwide. Such global dietary data harmonization is imperative for global diet monitoring and informed priority setting. Funding Sources Gates Foundation. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

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Estimation of Dietary Exposure to Chemicals: A Case Study Illustrating Methods of Distributional Analyses for Food Consumption Data

Risk Analysis ◽

10.1111/j.1539-6924.1996.tb00827.x ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 763-771 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Jeffrey H. Driver ◽

Michael E. Ginevan ◽

Gary K. Whitmyre

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Dietary Exposure ◽

Consumption Data ◽

Food Consumption Data

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Dietary exposure to flavouring substances: from screening methods to detailed assessments using food consumption data collected with EPIC-Soft software

Food Additives & Contaminants Part A ◽

10.1080/19440040903420614 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 433-446 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

S.P. Crispim ◽

A. Geelen ◽

C. Le Donne ◽

J.H.M. De Vries ◽

S. Sette ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Dietary Exposure ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Consumption Data ◽

Food Consumption Data

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Information, Policy, and the Sources of Fat and Cholesterol in the U.S. Diet

Journal of Public Policy & Marketing ◽

10.1177/074391569401300202 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 200-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Pauline M. Ippolito ◽

Alan D. Mathios

Keyword(s):

Heart Disease ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Information Policy ◽

Health Claims ◽

Food Groups ◽

Consumption Data ◽

Food Consumption Data ◽

Before And After ◽

The U.S

Increasing empirical evidence indicates that consumers are incorporating information linking fat and cholesterol consumption to heart disease and cancer into their basic dietary decisions. The authors analyze food consumption data for individuals to determine which food categories were involved in the overall reductions in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol consumption and whether these categories differed during the periods before and after the change in regulations governing producer health claims. The results indicate that reductions occurred in more food groups during the 1985–1990 period compared with the 1977–1985 period. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that producer claims are an important source of detailed information and inconsistent with the hypothesis that the health claims policy led to sufficient deception to slow dietary improvements underway prior to the change.

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FoodEx2 enhances the harmonization of food consumption, composition and carbon footprint databases

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.769 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

R Ferreira de Sousa ◽

V Padula de Quadros ◽

A Balcerzak ◽

T Bevere

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽

Food Composition ◽

World Health ◽

Sustainable Food ◽

Middle Income ◽

Food Composition Tables ◽

Consumption Data ◽

Food Consumption Data ◽

Health Organization

Abstract Introduction FoodEx2 is a food classification and description system developed and maintained by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It is currently used at global level with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) to harmonize datasets in the FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool - FAO/WHO GIFT. This is an open access online platform hosted by FAO and supported by WHO, for collation and dissemination of individual quantitative food consumption data, especially from low- and middle-income countries. Objective To demonstrate FoodEx2's usefulness in global harmonization of food description in food consumption datasets and its potential in facilitating food matching for various types of food data. Methodology Information was gathered from data owners of food consumption datasets and others who were trained to use FoodEx2, and on the number of datasets that have initiated or completed their data harmonization process, as a result of the FAO/WHO/EFSA collaboration. Main Findings Over 50 data owners of food consumption data and/or food composition tables (FCT) have been trained in data re-categorization with FoodEx2. As a result, 6 FCT and 25 food consumption datasets from 18 countries were or are being coded with FoodEx2, and out of those, 30 datasets are or will soon be disseminated through FAO/WHO GIFT in the form of infographics and microdata. Additionally, at least 3 databases of greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) estimates of foods have been mapped with FoodEx2. Conclusions Increased harmonization with FoodEx2 would enhance the consistency and reliability of nutrient intake assessments. Harmonization with FoodEx2 is being used to assess the environmental impact of diets and help identifying sustainable food consumption patterns.

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