Rationale

The food composition database refers to a comprehensive collection of data detailing the nutritional content of various foods. Allowing for accurate analysis of nutrient intake and its impact on public health, this database is essential for assessing the nutritional status of populations, identifying dietary deficiencies, and developing effective public health strategies to combat malnutrition and diet-related diseases. The data support the development of dietary guidelines, food labeling, public health policies, personalized dietary plans for individuals, products meeting nutritional standards, and empowers consumers to make informed dietary choices.

Establishing a comprehensive, accurate, and sustainable food composition database requires a coordinated and sustained efforts such as data collection and standardization, continuous maintenance and updates to reflect the rapidly changing food and agricultural environment, cooperation with stakeholders, and building a user-friendly interface.

With the purpose of discussing the challenges and development strategies of the food composition database and sharing experiences and technologies, this activity combines an evaluation workshop, a post-project review and learning (PPRL) workshop, and training course on the AFACI-AFCD project. The workshop/training will invite 25 country PIs of the AFACI-AFCD project, which is to develop the nutritional information database of the food culture of each of the participating member countries, to share their 3-year experiences to get lessons from each other, discuss ideas and suggestions for program development, and get technical advice from experts on food composition database.

Objectives

Exchange knowledge and experiences on developing food composition database.
Strengthen the capacity of food composition database personnel in the Asian and Pacific region.
Identify the areas of improvement in the AFACI-AFCD program and potential future programs.
Strengthen international cooperation on food composition database in the Asian and Pacific region.

Expected participants

25 PIs from AFACI-AFCD program participating countries.

(Workshop 22 PIs, Training 25 PIs)

About 10 officials from AFACI, FFTC, DA-BAR and UPLB.
1 keynote speaker.
Observers (AP-Forum speakers)

Possible themes

Day-1: AFACI-AFCD evaluation & PPRL workshop

- Session 1: Country reports

- Session 2: Keynote speeches

- Session 3: Group discussion (Challenges and suggestions)

- Session 4: General discussion

Day-2: FFTC AP Forum
Day-3 & 4: Training

Expected outputs

Workshop report with country papers/reports and recommendations based on the outcomes of the learning workshop.
Training materials.
A network for international cooperation on the development of food composition database in the Asian and Pacific region.

Speakers

Bangladesh

Country report I (3 countries

Country report II (3 countries)

Country report III (4 countries)

Keynote Presentation