The USDA Global Branded Food Products Database is Now Accepting Data on Live Microbes – Call for Data Submission
Marie E. Latulippe, MS, RDN, Director of Science Programs and Brienna Larrick, PhD, PMP Scientific Program Manager, Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS), Washington DC
As noted by Marco et al. (2020), evidence from observational studies and randomized controlled trials suggests that the consumption of safe, live microbes can support health. However, more data are needed to accept or refute this hypothesis, and to develop a full understanding of population exposure. As of October 2021, the USDA Global Branded Food Products Database is accepting information on live microbes in foods and beverages. With participation from manufacturers, this initiative will eventually enhance our understanding of the numbers of live microbes that populations consume from food.
The USDA Global Branded Food Products Database contains ingredient and nutrition composition data on over 368,000 branded and private label (i.e., store brand) foods and beverages. This information is provided voluntarily by the food industry. The impact of industry providing these data is substantial; it means these data are available to inform agricultural and food policy decisions by federal agencies, and to support research and regulatory queries by the public and private sectors. By supplying information on live microbes in foods, the food industry can provide researchers with useful data on quantities of live microbes in foods and enable them to link these data to associated health outcomes. Ultimately, this could contribute to determining if a recommended intake level for the consumption of safe, live microbes from foods (e.g., yogurts) is supported by evidence.
The food industry is encouraged to contribute to this initiative by providing the following data on the food and beverage products they produce:
- Quantity (range) of live microbes
- Method of analysis used to determine quantity of live microbes
- Type(s) of live microbes present in the product
Data on live microbes can be submitted via 1WorldSync, a Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) data pool provider. For more information, including guidance for submitting data and technical support, visit here.
The partners in this public-private partnership are USDA, IAFNS, GS1 US, 1WorldSync, NielsenIQ Label Insight, and the University of Maryland. For more information on the USDA Global Branded Food Products Database, visit here.
ISAPP and IAFNS collaborate on a project focused on live dietary microbes through the IAFNS gut microbiome committee. Mary Ellen Sanders, Executive Science Officer for ISAPP, represents ISAPP on this committee.
Related links:
Gut Microbiome Webinar Series sponsored by IAFNS
