Development of a database of fatty acids in Australian foods

Abstract

Food composition databases in general contain limited data on fatty acid profiles of foods, both in terms of foods represented and the range of fatty acids reported. The aim of this project was to compile a database of Australian and New Zealand foods for which complete and accurate fatty acid compositional data was available. The database constructed contains 1044 food items with data on amounts of 31 fatty acids recorded to two decimal places as gram of fatty acid per 100 g edible food portion. This fatty acid database will be of value to dietitians and research groups in estimating intake levels of specific fatty acids in individuals and population groups. Furthermore food companies will have a means of assessing the validity of making claims on n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content of their commodities in line with the stipulations of the new Australia and New Zealand food standards code.