The International Network of Foods Data Systems (INFOODS) has provided leadership on the development
and use of food composition data for over 30 years. The mission of INFOODS is the promotion of
international participation, cooperation and harmonization in the generation, compilation and dissemination
of adequate and reliable data on the composition of foods, beverages, and their ingredients in
forms appropriate to meet the needs of various users. Achievements include the development of guidelines
and standards, increased capacity development in generating and compiling food composition data,
a food composition database management system, improvements in laboratory quality assurance, and
development of several food composition databases and tables. Recently, INFOODS has led efforts to
define and document food biodiversity. As new foods and food components come into prominence,
and as analytical methods evolve, the activities of INFOODS will continue to advance the quality and
quantity of food composition data globally into the future.
2015 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights