USDA Branded Food Products Database Created to Expand the USDA National Nutrient Database

Five Organizations Collaborate With the Public Health Research Community to Deliver Food Nutritional Information

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Sep 20, 2016, 10:14 ET

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., Sept. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Five organizations, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), the International Life Sciences Institute North America (ILSI North America), GS1 US, 1WorldSync, and Label Insight have formed a collaborative public-private partnership to deliver "A Partnership for Public Health: USDA Branded Food Products Database" with the goal of strengthening public health and the open sharing of food composition data.

The USDA Branded Food Products Database was officially announced on Friday, September 16 by Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, at the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition Summit in New York. It expands and enhances the existing USDA National Nutrient Database, which serves as a main source of food composition data for governments, the public health research community and the food industry. It also provides public access to nutrient composition and ingredient information on branded foods and store brand data provided voluntarily by the food industry. The composition of the food supply and consumer dietary choices are key inputs for agricultural and food policy decisions. Comprehensive data can inform these decisions, but the volume and fluidity of branded food products in the U.S. marketplace are key challenges.

Through their mutual interest in cooperative technology transfer, the partners have developed the USDA Branded Food Products Database to receive more timely data submissions from manufacturers and retailers and have structured it to manage a larger volume of food product information. Currently, the Database includes 80,000 products and is anticipated to grow exponentially in the coming months. Its new functionality also allows for real-time linkage of food intake and nutrient composition to dietary pattern recommendations. In addition, food manufacturers can benefit from using the latest version to develop new product formulations and support overall industry goals to provide information transparency.

"The future for research and the health of the public lies in open data and therefore, ILSI North America is pleased to be a part of this significant open data project," says Eric Hentges, Executive Director of ILSI North America.

The USDA Branded Food Products Database will include the following information:

Product name and generic description
Serving size and servings per package
Nutrients shown on the Nutrition Facts Panel or the Expanded Nutrition Facts Panel
Weights and measures
Ingredient list and sub-list
A date stamp associated with current formulation of the branded or store brand food product

"This partnership comes at a crucial time for food manufacturers, as consumers are demanding more transparency of product information than ever before," said Ruben Castano, Managing Director of Americas at 1WorldSync. "By bringing together both public and private market leaders to create this new Database, consumers will be empowered with an unprecedented level of information about food nutritional content."

Manufacturers and retailers have two options for data submission to the USDA Branded Food Products Database. Brands that are leveraging the GS1 Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) can synchronize product data directly. Additionally, Label Insight allows brands to submit their product data via a simple "drag and drop" portal on www.labelinsight.com/USDA-database.

"The USDA Branded Products Database offers another way for the food industry to leverage GS1 Standards for improved product data sharing and transparency. This industry collaboration supports common goals to provide a more complete picture of food in the supply chain," said Angela Fernandez, Vice President of Retail Grocery and Foodservice, GS1 US.

"Label Insight was founded with the mission of enabling transparency between consumers and the products they use and consume," says Ronak Sheth, Chief Customer Officer of Label Insight. "We are proud to participate in this initiative to support public access to detailed nutrient and ingredient information."

Manufacturers can begin uploading data immediately. For more information on the USDA Branded Products Database, please visit https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/.

About the Partners:

About US Department of Agriculture (USDA): Founded in 1862, USDA is the U.S. federal executive department that provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. USDA funds/manages many internal and external programs that conduct research, set public policy and disseminate information regarding food, nutrition, healthy eating and the relationship between agricultural production and optimal nutrition.

About International Life Sciences Institute North America (ILSI North America): ILSI North America is a public, non-profit scientific foundation that advances the understanding and application of science related to the nutritional quality and safety of the food supply. The organization carries out its mission by sponsoring research programs, professional and educational programs and workshops, seminars, and publications, as well as providing a neutral forum for government, academic, and industry scientists to discuss and resolve scientific issues of common concern for the well-being of the general public. ILSI North America's programs are supported primarily by its industry membership.

About GS1 US^®
GS1 US, a member of GS1^®, is an information standards organization that brings industry communities together to solve supply-chain problems through the adoption and implementation of GS1 Standards. More than 300,000 businesses in 25 industries rely on GS1 US for trading-partner collaboration and for maximizing the cost effectiveness, speed, visibility, security and sustainability of their business processes. They achieve these benefits through solutions based on GS1 global unique numbering and identification systems, barcodes, Electronic Product Code (EPC^®)-based Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), data synchronization, and electronic information exchange. GS1 US also manages the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code^® (UNSPSC^®). www.GS1US.org

About 1WorldSync: 1WorldSync is the leading multi-enterprise product information network, helping more than 23,000 global brands and their trading partners in 60 countries – share authentic, trusted content with customers and consumers, empowering them to make intelligent choices and decisions concerning purchases, lifestyle and well-being.

1WorldSync's Product Information Cloud platform was designed for businesses to exchange authentic and enriched product data and digital content, creating a mission critical foundation for connected commerce. Through its technology platform and expert services, 1WorldSync provides solutions that meet the diverse needs of its customers in B2B Supply Chain, Product Transparency and Compliance, or Digital Commerce.

1WorldSync is jointly owned by the member organizations of GS1 Germany and GS1 US. GS1 is the preeminent global organization for the development of global standards, for identifying, capturing and sharing product information. For more information, please visit www.1worldsync.com

About Label Insight: Label Insight is a cloud based data refinery for product data that powers transparency between CPG brands, retailers and consumers. The company works to capture,
analyze and enrich data contained on the packaging and labeling of food, pet, and personal care products. Label Insight's platform enables transparent, open access to accurate product information. Label Insight's platform contains more than 200,000 products, representing 80% of the top purchased CPG products in the USA today. Label Insight customers use this data to provide greater transparency to consumers; easily participate in industry and government initiatives, such as SmartLabel; create more connected omni-channel experiences; and maximize category growth potential. To learn more about Label Insight visit www.labelinsight.com

SOURCE GS1 US