Analytical surveys

A rolling programme of surveys analysing the nutrient content of foods.

Reliable and up-to-date data on the nutrient content of foods are essential for the estimation of nutrient intakes from food consumption data. Nutritional data need to be regularly updated because foods themselves are constantly changing. Not only are new products being developed and old ones reformulated, but also traditional foods change. Changes in food composition may result from, for example, the introduction of new plant varieties, imports from different countries, altered storage and preparation practices, processing techniques, fortification practices and packaging.

Within this programme, therefore, the Food Standards Agency funds a rolling programme of analytical surveys that provide up-to-date and reliable information on the nutrient content of foods. Data from these surveys are incoporated into the nutrient databanks that support national dietary surveys.