Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset User Guide

McCance and Widdowson’s The
Composition of Foods Integrated

Dataset 2015
User guide
Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset user guide
About Public Health England

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Prepared by: Paul Finglas, Mark Roe, Hannah Pinchen, Rachel Berry, Susan
Church, Sakhi Dodhia, Natasha Powell, Melanie Farron-Wilson, Joanne
McCardle, and Gillian Swan
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© Crown copyright 2015

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Published March 2015

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2
Contents
McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset 2015
About Public Health England 2
Introduction 4
Sources of data and methods of evaluation 4
Data formats 7
Format of Excel files 7
Food identification 8
Details of nutrient data 10
FACTORS worksheet 10
PROXIMATES worksheet 11
INORGANICS worksheet 13
VITAMINS worksheet 14
Fat-soluble vitamins 14
VITAMIN FRACTIONS worksheet 16
FATTY ACID worksheets 16
PHYTOSTEROL worksheet 16
ORGANIC ACIDS worksheet 16
Format of 7-bit ASCII files 16
RECTYPE -1 17
RECTYPE 1 17
Food labelling 18
Tolerances for nutrient values declared on a label 20
Appendix 1 21
Main data references 21
Appendix 2 27
Food sub-group codes 27
Cereals and cereal products 27
Milk and milk products 27
Eggs 28
Vegetables 28
Fruit 29
Nuts and seeds 29
Herbs and spices 29
Baby foods 29
Fish and fish products 29
Meat and meat products 29
Fats and oils 30
Beverages 30
Alcoholic beverages 30
Sugars, preserves and snacks 31
Appendix 3 32
Acronyms, descriptions and units 32
3
Introduction
Public Health England (PHE) is responsible for maintaining up to date data
on the nutrient content of the UK food supply in order to support the National
Diet and Nutrition Survey, and funds a rolling programme of nutrient analysis
of foods commonly consumed in the UK. Data from this programme, together
with complementary data from other sources are published as McCance and
Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods – the UK food composition tables.
Previous data has been published in book form as a series of supplements,
each containing extensive data on a specific food group. The Composition of
Foods Integrated Dataset (CoFID) was first published in 2008 and brought
together for the first time all the available data in electronic format as a single,
consolidated, dataset. This version (2015) is an update of the original
published in 2008 and includes all the new and recently reviewed data.
Foods calculated by recipe or calculated based on another food (eg, foods
weighed with waste) have been recalculated to include the most recent data
for ingredients and the dataset therefore contains some newly created codes
which have not previously been published. A subset of the data has been
published recently in book form as McCance and Widdowson’s The
Composition of Foods seventh summary edition.1
Sources of data and methods of evaluation
It is essential that food composition data is regularly updated for a number of

reasons. Since the CoFID was first published in 2008, many new fresh,
ambient, frozen, and processed foods have become familiar items in our
shops, and values for these have been included where possible. In addition,
the nutritional value of many processed foods and composite dishes have
changed and the nutrient content of unprocessed foods can also change over
time. This can happen when there are new varieties or new sources of supply
for the raw materials. New farming practices can affect the nutritional value of
both plant and animal products. New manufacturing practices, including
changes in the type and amounts of ingredients and changes in fortification
practice can affect the content of processed foods. Many foods have been
reformulated in line with government public health initiatives, including
1
Finglas P.M., Roe M.A., Pinchen H.M., Berry R., Church S.M., Dodhia S.K., Farron-Wilson M. & Swan G. (2015)
th
McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods, 7 summary edition. The Royal Society of Chemistry,
Cambridge
4
reductions in the amount of fat, trans fatty acids, saturated fat, sugar and salt
added. Methods of preparation and cooking in the home have also changed
and can affect the nutrient content of foods consumed.
To ensure that the UK food composition data could continue to have as wide
a coverage, and be as up-to-date as possible, the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food decided in the early 1980s to set up a rolling programme
of food analysis, the responsibility for which now lies with PHE. The analytical
survey reports from 2002 onwards and some earlier reports are available in
electronic form from www.ifr.ac.uk/fooddatabanks/ These reports comprise
raw laboratory data and have not been evaluated to the same extent as data
incorporated into the CoFID.
The following publications in The Composition of Foods series are currently

available and contain data that is included in CoFID:
Cereals and Cereal Products, supplement (1988)

Milk Products and Eggs, supplement (1989)
Vegetables, Herbs and Spices, supplement (1991)
5th Summary Edition (1991)
Fruit and Nuts, supplement (1992)
Vegetable Dishes, supplement (1992)
Fish and Fish Products, supplement (1993)
Miscellaneous Foods, supplement (1994)
Meat, Poultry and Game, supplement (1995)
Meat Products and Dishes, supplement (1996)
Fatty Acids, supplement (1998)
Many of the values included in CoFID have been taken from the seventh
summary edition and detailed supplements, themselves mainly derived from
the analytical surveys programme. The main data source for each food is
provided, where known, in the ‘main data reference’ column and refers to the
references provided in appendix 1, which lists the reports and scientific
literature from which data was taken. Where updated values have not been
included, the previous values were reviewed and judged to be valid.
Where new analytical data was not available, and previous values were
judged not to be valid, values have been taken from a number of sources
including manufacturers’ data, scientific literature, food composition datasets
5
from other countries and calculations based on previous values and/or

ingredients. In particular, the values for sodium, sugar, saturated and trans
fat content of many processed foods have been updated, to reflect the
reductions achieved by food manufacturers since the sixth summary edition
was published in 2002 (FSA, 2002)2. Fortified products have also been
reviewed against label data and values updated where necessary to reflect
current practices for the range and amounts of nutrients added. All recipes
have been recalculated, using the most recent available data for ingredients,
and ingredients used have also been updated where appropriate.
Some foods that were included in the 2008 CoFID have not been reviewed or
validated in the 2015 update and those foods are published separately in a
file containing data for ‘old’ foods. This data can be used in addition to the
2015 dataset but users should be aware that the values for some nutrients
may not represent those foods as currently consumed.
Where the values in the tables were derived by direct analysis of the foods,
care was taken when designing sampling protocols to ensure that the foods
analysed were representative of those consumed by the UK population. For
most foods a number of samples were purchased at different shops,
supermarkets or other retail outlets, and, where appropriate, foodservice
outlets or catering suppliers. Samples analysed were composite samples,
consisting of equal quantities of each sub-sample purchased. When the
composite sample was made up from a number of different brands of food,
the proportion of the individual brands purchased was related to their relative
shares of the retail market. Full details of samples are available in the reports
given as main data references (appendix 1). If the food required preparation
prior to analysis, techniques such as washing, soaking, cooking, etc. were as
similar as possible to normal domestic practices. Cooking methods were
based on manufacturer’s recommendations for pre-packaged foods and
methods for non pre-packed foods were based on review of ‘usual’ consumer
preparation. Details of preparation procedures are available in the reports
given as main data references (appendix 1).
Where data from literature sources was included, preference was given to
reports where the food was similar to that in the UK, where the publication
gave full details of the sample, method of preparation and analysis, and
where the results were presented in a detailed and acceptable form. EuroFIR
2 th
Food Standards Agency (2002) McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods, 6 summary edition.
The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge
6
(European Food Information Resource) datasets and tools (www.eurofir.org)

were used to help evaluate existing or new data values, and to calculate
values for foods where suitable analytical or literature data were not
available.
Where processed foods with brand names are included, they are restricted to
leading brands with an established composition. No inference should be
drawn from the inclusion of data for a particular brand.
The final selection of values published here is dependent on the judgement of

the compilers and their interpretation of the available data. Due to the large
natural variability of foods, it is unlikely that a particular item will have
precisely the same composition as given in these tables. This is particularly
true for unprocessed foods such as cereals, dairy products, eggs, meat, fish,
fruit and vegetables. The values published here should be regarded as
typical rather than definitive for the foods described.
Users are advised to consult other sources of data (eg, product labels,
manufacturers’ data, published analytical reports) where appropriate,
depending on their particular needs or interests, for the food item under
consideration. It should be noted that manufacturers can and do change or
reformulate their products and this will influence nutrient content. This is
particularly relevant for foods where nutrients are added for fortification
purposes, or for technological purposes, such as antioxidants or colouring
agents. Information on processed foods, including fortification levels and
reformulations, is often available from manufacturers’ websites and from
retailers.
Data formats
CoFID data is provided as Excel workbooks containing data in worksheets

related to nutrient groups and can also be made available, on request, as text
files (7-bit ASCII format, compatible with any computer system capable of
reading the ISO 646 character set). Data files are available from
www.ifr.ac.uk/fooddatabanks/.
Format of Excel files
The Excel workbook consists of 13 separate worksheets:
Factors
7
Proximates
Inorganics
Vitamins
Vitamin Fractions
Saturated fatty acids per 100g fatty acids
Saturated fatty acids per 100g food
Monounsaturated fatty acids per 100g fatty acids
Monounsaturated fatty acids per 100g food
Polyunsaturated fatty acids per 100g fatty acids
Polyunsaturated fatty acids per 100g food
Phytosterols
Organic acids
Each sheet contains column headings in rows 1-3 of the spreadsheet, then
data values for each individual foodstuff such that data values for a specific
food code will occur in the same row in each of the 13 worksheets.
The following notes apply to the data values:
 a trace value for a nutrient is represented by Tr

 where a nutrient is present in significant quantities, but there is no
reliable information on the amount, the value is represented by N
 in the EXCEL files, it is not possible to append nutrient-specific
footnotes, and these are only available in the ASCII files. Food-
specific footnotes do appear in the EXCEL version
Food identification
Food Code (NUMB in the ASCII file) is a number, up to six digits,

representing the unique CoFID code representing each food.
The two digit prefix generally refers to the codes used for the book
supplement relating to specific food groups, eg, 11- for cereals and cereal
products, 12- for milk products and eggs, 16- for fish and fish products. For
foods where new data has been incorporated into an existing food, a new
food code number has been given using the prefix for the appropriate
supplement. Since the food code is unique for each food and these electronic
datasets do not relate exactly to book publications, the codes used should
not be considered to have any particular significance.
8
Food name (NAME) The food name has been chosen as that most
recognisable and descriptive of the food referenced.
Description (DESC) Information given under the description describes the

nature of the samples taken for analysis. Sources of values derived, either
from the literature or by calculation, are also indicated under this heading.
Group (GROUP) In these files (but not in the printed publications) a one, two
or three letter code is assigned to every food. The code letter(s) provide
identification of the food group and food type to which the food belongs. A full
list of the codes and their description is given in appendix 2.
Previous (PREV) Assigned to each food which has an earlier food code with
different nutrient values associated with it. It is a number, up to six digits,
indicating previous food codes (4th, 5th or 6th edition or a supplement). Some
foods may have more than one previous code associated with them.
Main data references (COMMENTS) The main data reference indicates the
principal report(s) or publication(s) from which the majority of the data for the
food code are taken. Values for individual nutrients within each code may be
taken from different sources, calculated or estimated from other codes. For
foods that do not have an analytical report or literature source that can be
referred to as the main data reference, the food description should indicate
how the data have been estimated (eg, from manufacturer’s data, calculated
from related codes or calculated as a recipe). In some cases there is a main
data reference referring to analytical data and the description indicates that
industry data has also been used to update some nutrients, usually sodium,
sugars, fats or added minerals and vitamins.
9
Details of nutrient data

For more detailed definition and expression of the nutrients you should refer
to the introductory pages of the 7th summary edition of McCance and
Widdowson's The Composition of Foods3 and of the supplement publications.
The more significant points for certain nutrients are provided in the notes
below for convenience. For some nutrients, data which is 'old' and was
analysed significantly earlier and on a different sample to the bulk of the
nutrients is available. This data has not been updated but it is the only data
available and may be of interest to some users and is available as a separate
file. This applies to fibre fractions, Southgate fibre and sulphur.
FACTORS worksheet
Edible conversion factor (EDPOR) Many foods are purchased or served

with material that is clearly inedible or material that might be discarded as
inedible by some consumers. For the purposes of this dataset ‘waste’
encompasses both types of material, which might include, for example:
 outer leaves or stalks of vegetables
 stones, pips or peel of fruit
 nut shells
 fish skin and bone
 meat fat and bones
 liquid content of canned foods
The edible conversion factor allows calculation of the nutrient content of

foods when the inedible material is included in the weight and refers to the
proportion of edible material remaining after the waste has been removed.
The factor will vary between different samples of the same food and these
values should be treated as a guide to the typical proportion of inedible
waste.
3
Finglas P.M, Roe M.A., Pinchen H.M, Berry R., Church S.M., Dodhia S.K., Farron-Wilson M. and Swan G.
th
(2015) McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, 7 summary edition. The Royal Society of
Chemistry, Cambridge
10
Specific gravity (SPECGRAV) Specific gravity is the ratio of the density

(mass of a unit volume) of a food to the density (mass of the same unit
volume) of water.
Nitrogen conversion factor (NCF) Nitrogen conversion factor used is the

factor used to calculate protein from total nitrogen. See Protein.
Glycerol conversion factor (GCF) Glycerol conversion factor is used to

allow the calculation of the total fatty acids in a given weight of food. See
Fatty acids.
PROXIMATES worksheet
Water (WATER) For most foods, water has been analysed using gravimetric
methods. In some cases where protein, fat or carbohydrate have been
updated based on industry data, the water value has been estimated by
calculation (100 – (protein + fat + available carbohydrate + dietary fibre +
ash)).
Protein (PROT) For most foods, protein is calculated by multiplying total

nitrogen values (TOTNIT) by the factors provided in the ‘Nitrogen conversion
factor’ column of the ‘Factors’ worksheet, as described in the introduction of
McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods 7th summary Edition.
Unless stated otherwise, a factor of 6.25 is used based on the assumption
that proteins contain 16% nitrogen. The proportion of non-protein nitrogen is
high in many foods, notably fish, fruits and vegetables. In most of these,
however, this is amino acid in nature and therefore little error is involved in
the use of a factor applied to the total nitrogen, although protein in the
strictest sense is overestimated. For those foods which contain a
measurable amount of non-protein nitrogen in the form of urea, purines and
pyrimidines (eg, mushrooms) the non-protein nitrogen has been subtracted
before multiplication by the appropriate factor.
Fat (FAT) The fat in most foods is a mixture of triglycerides, phospholipids,

sterols and related compounds. The values in the tables refer to total fat and
not just to triglycerides.
Carbohydrate (CHO) Total carbohydrate and its components, starch, total

and individual sugars (glucose, galactose, fructose, sucrose, maltose,
lactose) and oligosaccharides, but not fibre, are wherever possible expressed
11
as their monosaccharide equivalent. The values for total carbohydrate in the

Tables have generally been obtained from the sum of analysed values for
these components of ‘available carbohydrate’, contrasting with figures for
carbohydrate ‘by difference’, which are sometimes used in other food tables
or on the labels of processed foods. Such figures are obtained by subtracting
the measured weights of the other proximates from the total weight and many
include the contribution from any dietary fibre present, as well as errors from
the other analyses.
Energy value (KCALS) Calculated using the conversion factors: protein 4

kcal/g, fat 9 kcal/g, carbohydrate (available, expressed as monosaccharides)
3.75 kcal/g and alcohol 7 kcal/g.
Energy value (KJ) Calculated using the conversion factors: protein 17 kJ/g,
fat 37 kJ/g, carbohydrate (available, expressed as monosaccharides) 16 kJ/g
and alcohol 29 kJ/g.
Starch (STAR) Includes dextrins but excludes resistant starch. Expressed as

monosaccharide equivalents.
Oligosaccharides (OLIGO) Expressed as monosaccharide equivalents. Any

known or measured contribution from oligosaccharides and/or maltodextrins
has been included in the total carbohydrate value but not in the columns for
starch or total sugars. In most foods oligosaccharides are present in relatively
low quantities. In vegetables and some processed foods where glucose
syrups and maltodextrins are added, oligosaccharides will make a significant
contribution to carbohydrate content. Where oligosaccharides are present in
foods, they are not always measured separately and may be included in the
starch, sugar or fibre fractions, depending on the nature of the
oligosaccharide and on the analytical methods used.
Total sugars (TOTSUG) Sugars are expressed as monosaccharide

equivalents and include free monosaccharides (glucose, fructose and
galactose) and disaccharides (sucrose, maltose and lactose). The value does
not include any contribution from oligosaccharides present in the food.
Alcohol (ALCO) Values are given as g/100 ml. Pure ethyl alcohol has a
specific gravity of 0.79, dividing values by 0.79 converts them to alcohol by
volume (ml/100 ml).
12
NSP (ENGFIB) Non-starch polysaccharides4 includes insoluble fibre

(cellulose, insoluble non-cellulosic polysaccharides) and soluble fibre (soluble
cellulosic polysaccharides).
AOAC fibre (AOACFIB) AOAC determinations5 include resistant starch and

lignin in the estimation of total fibre, rather than only the non-starch
polysaccharides.
Fatty acids Values for total saturated (SATFOD), monunsaturated

(MONOFOD), polyunsaturated (POLYFOD) and trans fatty acids
(FODTRANS) are given as well as values for branched chain saturated fatty
acids (TOTBRFOD), cis-monounsaturated (MONOFODc) and cis-
polyunsaturated fatty acids (POLYFODc). Trans fatty acids are also included
in total monounsaturated and total polyunsaturated fatty acids. For food
labelling purposes trans fats are not included in the values for
monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Values for total fatty acids are
given expressed as both g/100g food and also g/100g fatty acid methyl
esters. The fat in most foods contains non fatty acid material such as
phospholipids and sterols and to allow the calculation of the total fatty acids
in a given weight of food, the glycerol conversion factors given in the ‘Factors’
worksheet were applied.
Cholesterol (CHOL) Values are expressed as mg/100g food. To convert to

mmol cholesterol, divide the values by 386.6.
INORGANICS worksheet
Values for are given for:
Sodium (NA)
Potassium (K)
Calcium (CA)
Magnesium (MG)
Phosphorus (P)
4
Englyst, H. N., Quigley, M. E. and Hudson, G. J. (1994). Determination of dietary fibre as non-starch
polysaccharides with gas–liquid chromatographic, high performance liquid chromatographic or
spectrophotometric measurement of constituent sugars. Analyst, 119, 1497–1509
5
AOAC. (2011) In W. Horwitz, G. Latimer (Eds.), Official methods of analysis (18th ed., Revision 4). ISBN: 0-
935584-82-X
13
Iron (FE)
Copper (CU)
Zinc (ZN)
Chloride (CL)
Selenium (SE)
Iodine (I)
VITAMINS worksheet
Fat-soluble vitamins
The two components of vitamin A are given separately as Retinol (RET) and
Carotene (CAREQU).
Retinol (RET) is expressed as the weight of all-trans-retinol equivalent, i.e.

the sum of all-trans-retinol plus contributions from the other forms after
correction to account for their relative activities.6 Where the retinol profile was
incomplete, because values for 13-cis retinol and/or retinaldehyde were not
available, it has been assumed that only all-trans retinol is present, leading to
a possible underestimate in some cases.
Carotene (CAREQU) Represents the β-carotene activity and is the sum of

the β -carotene and half of any -carotene or cryptoxanthins present. Where
the carotenoid profile was incomplete, because only values for β-carotene
were available, it has been assumed that only β-carotene is present. This
may result in an underestimate of β-carotene equivalents, but as -carotene
and cryptoxanthin are usually present in low levels in foods without complete
carotenoid profiles, it is likely that any error is small.
Total retinol equivalent (RETEQU) The generally accepted relationship is

that 6 µg β-carotene or 12 µg of other active carotenoids are equivalent to 1
µg of retinol,7 ie,
Vitamin A potency as = µg retinol + µg β-carotene equivalent

retinol equivalent 6
6
Sivell, L.M., Bull, N.L., Buss, D.H., Wiggins, R.A., Scuffam, D., and Jackson, P.A. (1984) Vitamin A activity in
foods of animal origin. J. Sci. Food Agric. 35, 931-939
7
Department of Health (1991) Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients for the United Kingdom.
Report on Health and Social Subjects No. 41, HMSO, London
14
Vitamin D (VITD) Few foods contain vitamin D from intrinsic sources. All
those which contain vitamin D naturally are products of animal origin and
contain D3 (cholecalciferol) derived, as in humans, from the action of sunlight
on the animal’s skin or from its own food. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) made
commercially has the same potency as D3 in man. Vitamin D2 and vitamin D3
are both used to fortify a number of foods.
Meat can contain vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) derived from the action of

sunlight or, for pigs and poultry, from the feed. Vitamin D3 in meat may also
be present in the form of the more active 25-hydroxy vitamin D3. For meat,
meat products, and poultry, therefore, the total vitamin D activity has been
taken as the sum of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and five times 25-hydroxy
vitamin D3 (25-hydroxy cholecalciferol), where data is available.
Vitamin E (α-tocopherol equivalent) (VITE) Values take into account vitamin

E activity using conversion factors,8 and are expressed as α-tocopherol
equivalents.
Vitamin K1 (VITK1) Phylloquinone, the predominant, naturally-occurring,

vitamin K in foods.
8
McLaughlin, P.J. and Weihrauch, J.L. (1979) Vitamin E content of foods. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 75, 647-665
15
VITAMIN FRACTIONS worksheet
Values are given for some foods for vitamers that contribute to retinol
equivalents (all-trans retinol, 13-cis-retinol, dehydroretinol and retinaldehyde),
carotene equivalents (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-
cryptoxanthins), vitamin D (cholecalciferol and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3) and
vitamin E equivalents (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherol and alpha,
beta, gamma and delta tocotrienols). In addition, there are some values for
lutein, lycopene and 5-methyl folate.
FATTY ACID worksheets
Worksheets are given containing values for individual fatty acid isomers
where these are available. There are worksheets for saturated fatty acids,
monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Values for total
fatty acids are given expressed as both g/100g food and also g/100g fatty
acid methyl esters. The fat in most foods contains non fatty acid material
such as phospholipids and sterols and to allow the calculation of the total
fatty acids in a given weight of food, the glycerol conversion factors given in
the ‘Factors’ worksheet were applied.
PHYTOSTEROL worksheet
Values are given for some foods for a range of phytosterols including beta-
sitosterol, brassicasterol, campesterol, delta-5-avenasterol, delta-7-
avenasterol, delta-7-stigmastenol and stigmasterol.
ORGANIC ACIDS worksheet
Values are given for a few foods for citric acid and malic acid.
Format of 7-bit ASCII files

A line called RECTYPE starts each new record and is used to indicate the
record type. For example, it may show that the record is an explanatory text
record, a data record (nutrient values), a recipe record, etc.
16
Each record is terminated with three asterisks "***" starting in column 1 of the
line.
The files currently contain three record types:
RECTYPE 0
This is a header record and gives information about the data and includes the
title, version, creation date, copyright statement and any other relevant notes.
RECTYPE -1
This is the descriptor record and gives explanatory text

for RECTYPE 1 (data) records. The RECTYPE -1 record contains all
possible fields of the RECTYPE 1 (data) records in the file and provide a full
description of the meaning of the acronyms used in the data records.
Generally, the RECTYPE -1 records will precede the corresponding data
records. Each descriptor is output as a separate line preceded by the field
acronym, a vertical bar (ASCII Dec.124, Hex.7C) and a space, eg,
CHOL Cholesterol mg
where CHOL is the acronym used in the data records for cholesterol and mg
are the units in which the nutrient value for cholesterol is expressed per 100g
of food. The units information is separated from the nutrient description by
two space characters. The order of the information in the RECTYPE -1
record is alphabetical by field acronym.
A complete listing of all field acronyms, their descriptions and units used (per
100g or 100ml of food) is given in appendix 3.
RECTYPE 1
Each of the records of this type contain the data for a food. Each nutrient
value (or food name, food number etc.) is output on a separate line and is
preceded by its field acronym, eg:
NAME Compound cooking fat

CHOL 425
Where the information in a field occupies more than one line, eg, data
source, the acronym for the field is repeated at the start of each new line.
17
Food records are ordered by food code and the order of data for an individual
food in this record type are as in the corresponding printed publication.
The following notes apply to data in RECTYPE 1 records:
1. Nutrient values within round brackets, ( ), are estimated.

2. A trace value for a nutrient is represented by Tr.
3. Where a nutrient is present in significant quantities, but there is no reliable
information on the amount, the value is represented by N.
4. Footnote information is appended to the field to which it applies and is
enclosed in square braces, [ ], and is separated from the corresponding value
by three space characters.
Food labelling
Nutrition information is increasingly being provided on food labels and from
2016 will be mandatory on the majority of pre-packed foods. Values from
CoFID may be used for this purpose, but only if certain conditions are met.
Values that meet the criteria below are included in CoFID, where possible.
New food information regulations (the EU Food Information for Consumers

Regulation (EU FIC) No. 1169/2011), which bring EU rules on general and
nutrition labelling together into a single regulation (replacing the previous
food labelling regulations after a transition period), came into force in
November 2011. Under the new regulations (available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/labellingnutrition/nutritionlabel/index_en.htm),
‘back of pack’ nutrition labelling will become mandatory for the majority of
pre-packed foods from 13 December 2016.
If a nutrition declaration is provided prior to 13 December 2016 on a voluntary

basis, or is required because a nutrition and/or health claim has been made
or vitamins and/or minerals have been added to the foodstuff, it must comply
with EU FIC from 13 December 2014.
The mandatory declaration will comprise:
energy (kJ, kcal)

fat
saturates
18
carbohydrate
sugars
protein
salt
Salt is calculated as total sodium content multiplied by 2.5. Supplementary

information on other nutrients listed in the Regulation can be provided on a
voluntary basis. The additional listed nutrients are: monounsaturates;
polyunsaturates; polyols; starch; fibre; and specified minerals and vitamins,
present in significant amounts (as defined in the Regulation). If a claim is
made for any of these nutrients, or if minerals and/or vitamins are added to a
food, then the amount of the respective nutrient(s) must be declared in
addition to the mandatory declaration outlined above.
Declared values for nutrients should be average values derived using one or
more of the following methods:
 manufacturer’s analysis of food

 a calculation from the known or actual average values of the
ingredients used in the preparation of the food
 a calculation from generally established and accepted data
Generally established and accepted data for the UK include values published
in CoFID, if the product or its ingredients are similar to those described.
Nevertheless, it is important to note the following differences:
 protein should be given as total nitrogen x 6.25 for every food,

whereas more specific factors have been used in CoFID
 carbohydrate is to be declared as the weight of the carbohydrates
themselves and not their monosaccharide equivalents
The following factors may be used to convert monosaccharide equivalents

from this edition to actual weights:
Total carbohydrate Divide by 1.05 (unless it is known

to be mainly starch or mainly
oligosaccharide)
Starch Divide by 1.10
Sucrose and lactose Divide by 1.05
Glucose, etc. As given
19
Different factors are to be used to calculate energy values and are shown
below
kcal/g kJ/g
Carbohydrate (except polyols), 4 17

expressed as weight
Polyols 2.4 10
Protein 4 17
Fat 9 37
Salatrims 6 25
Alcohol (ethanol) 7 29
Organic acid 3 13
Fibre 2 8
Erythritol 0 0
‘Front of pack’ nutrition labelling
EU FIC allows elements of the mandatory nutrition declaration which are of

importance to public health to be repeated on the ‘front of pack’ in one of the
following formats:
Energy value alone, or
Energy value plus amounts of fat, saturates, sugars and salt
Guidance on providing ‘front of pack’ labelling in line with UK government

2013 recommendation can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/front-of-pack-nutrition-labelling-
guidance
Tolerances for nutrient values declared on a label
It is widely recognised that it is not possible for foods to always contain the exact
quantity of nutrients declared on the label, owing to natural variation, and variations
during food production and storage. However, in order to avoid consumers being
misled, it is important that the deviation from declared values should be minimal. EU
guidance has therefore been produced on tolerances, i.e. the acceptable differences
between the nutrient values declared on a label and those established in the course
of official controls by enforcement authorities. The tolerances, which vary by nutrient,
by the amount present and take account of the uncertainty of measurement, are at:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/labellingnutrition/nutritionlabel/index_en.htm
20
Appendix 1
Main data references
Publications in 'The Composition of Foods' series
McCance, R.A. and Widdowson, E.M. (1960) The Composition of Foods, 3rd edition.
Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London
Paul, A.A. and Southgate, D.A.T. (1978) McCance and Widdowson's The
Composition of Foods, 4th edition. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London
Holland, B., Unwin, I.D. and Buss, D.H. (1988) Cereals and Cereal Products. Third
supplement to 4th edition of McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods.
The Royal Society of Chemistry, Nottingham
Holland, B., Unwin, I.D. and Buss, D.H. (1989) Milk Products and Eggs. Fourth
Holland, B., Unwin, I.D. and Buss, D.H. (1991) Vegetables, Herbs and Spices. Fifth
Holland, B., Welch, A.A., Unwin, I.D., Buss, D.H., Paul, A.A. and Southgate, D.A.T.
(1991) McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods, 5th edition. The
Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge
Holland, B., Unwin, I.D. and Buss, D.H. (1992) Fruit and Nuts. First supplement to
5th edition of McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods. The Royal
Society of Chemistry, Cambridge
Holland, B., Welch, A.A. and Buss, D.H. (1992) Vegetable Dishes. Second
Holland, B., Brown, J. and Buss, D.H. (1993) Fish and Fish Products. Third
Chan, W., Brown, J. and Buss, D.H. (1994) Miscellaneous Foods. Fourth
Chan, W., Brown, J., Lee, S.M. and Buss, D.H. (1995) Meat, Poultry and Game. Fifth
21
Chan, W., Brown, J., Church, S.M. and Buss, D.H. (1996) Meat Products and
Dishes. Sixth supplement to 5th edition of McCance and Widdowson’s The
Composition of Foods. The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. (1998) Fatty Acids. Seventh supplement
to 5th edition of McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods. The Royal
Society of Chemistry, Cambridge.
Food Standards Agency (2002) McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of
Foods, 6th summary edition. The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge
Finglas P.M, Roe M.A., Pinchen H.M, Berry R., Church S.M., Dodhia S.K., Farron-
Wilson M. and Swan G. (2015) McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of
Foods, 7th summary edition. The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge
Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset (2008)
http://tna.europarchive.org/20110116113217/http://www.food.gov.uk/science/dietarys
urveys/dietsurveys/
Analytical reports
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1982-1983) Carcase meat and offal survey
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1983-1984) Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks
and tea and coffee survey
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1983-1984) Poultry and game surveys
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1984) The nutritional composition of fruit
juice
Institute of Food Research (1984-1987) The nutritional composition of retail
vegetables in the UK
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1985) Canned and other processed
vegetable products survey
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1985) Frozen vegetable survey
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1985-1986) Nutritional composition of fruit
products
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1985-1986) Nutritional composition of fresh
fruit
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1986-1987) Fish and fish products
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1989) Dairy products and eggs
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1989-1990) Fruit and vegetables
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1990-1991) Analytical survey of meat
products
22
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1992) Analytical survey of confectionery

items
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1992) Nutritional analysis of foods for pre-
school children
Leatherhead Food R.A. (1992) Nutrient analysis of miscellaneous foods
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1992-1993) Nutrient analysis of carcase
beef
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1992-1993) Nutrient analysis of retail cuts of
pork
Leatherhead Food R.A. (1993) Nutritional analysis of soft drinks
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1993) Survey of the Nutritional Composition
of savoury snacks and nuts
RHM Research and Engineering Ltd (1993) Fatty acids in foods
bacon
lamb
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1994) Analysis of assorted foods
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1994) Nutrient analysis of foods important in
elderly people
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1994-1995) Nutrient analysis of chicken and
turkey
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1994-1995) Nutritional analysis of meat and
poultry products
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1995) Added folic acid in supplements and
fortified foods
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1995) Nutrient analysis of foods commonly
consumed by schoolchildren
RHM Technology (1995) Nutrient analysis of pizzas
RHM Technology (1995) Nutrient analysis of selected foods
ADAS Laboratory Services (1995-1996) Nutrient analysis of pasteurised liquid milk
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1996) Individual folates in foodstuffs
Aspland and James Ltd (1997) Nutrient analysis of ethnic takeaway foods
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1997) Determination of 25-OH vitamin D in
selected foodstuffs
23
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1997) Determination of cis carotenoids in

foodstuffs
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1997) The determination of different forms
of iron in foodstuffs
RHM Technology (1997) Nutrient analysis of manufactured foods for vegetarians
Laboratory of Government Chemist (1998) Nutrient analysis of ‘other’ milk and
cream
Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (1998) Nutrient analysis of
yoghurts, fromage frais and chilled desserts
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1999) Nutrient analysis of bread and
morning goods
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (1999) Nutrient analysis of cheese
ADAS Laboratories (1999) Nutrient analysis of ice creams and desserts
Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (2003) Programme of mini-
surveys: survey of sausages
Direct Laboratories (2003) Nutrient analysis catch up project
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (2004) Nutrient analysis of pasta and pasta
sauces
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (2004) Nutrient survey of breakfast cereals
Laboratory of the Government Chemist (2005) Nutrient survey of flours and grains
University of Leeds (2007) Nutritional analysis of commonly consumed South Asian
foods in the UK
Department of Health (2011) Nutrient analysis survey of biscuits, buns, cakes and
pastries
Department of Health (2012) Nutrient analysis of eggs
Department of Health (2013) Nutrient analysis of a range of processed foods with
particular reference to trans fatty acids, revised version
Department of Health (2013) Nutrient analysis of fish and fish products
Department of Health (2013) Nutrient analysis of fruit and vegetables
Scientific literature
Bolton-Smith, C., Price, R.J.G., Fenton, S.T., Harrington, D.J. and Shearer, M.J.
(2000) Compilation of a provisional UK database for the phylloquinone (vitamin K1)
content of foods. Br. J. Nutr. 83, 389-399
24
Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (1974) Food composition tables for use in the
English speaking Caribbean. Unwin Brothers, Woking
Cashel, K., English, R. and Lewis, J. (1989) Composition of Foods, Australia.
Volume 1. Department of Community Services and Health, Canberra
Chughtai, M.I.D. and Khan, A. (1960) Nutritive value of food-stuffs and planning of
satisfactory diets in Pakistan, Part 1. Composition of raw food-stuffs, Punjab
University Press, Lahore
Cutrufelli, R. and Matthews, R.H. (1986) Composition of foods: beverages, raw,
processed and prepared. Agriculture Handbook No. 8-14, US Department of
Agriculture, Washington DC
Cutrufelli, R. and Pehrsson, P.R. (1991) Composition of foods: snacks and sweets,
raw, processed and prepared. Agriculture Handbook No. 8-19, US Department of
Department of Health and Social Security (1977) The composition of mature human
milk. Report on Health and Social Subjects No 12, HMSO, London
Department of Health (1991) Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients
for the United Kingdom. Report on Health and Social Subjects No. 41, HMSO,
London
Exler, J. (1987) Composition of foods: finfish and shellfish products, raw, processed
and prepared, Agriculture Handbook No 8-15, US Department of Agriculture,
Washington DC
Gebhardt, S.E., Cutrufelli, R. and Matthews, R.H. (1982) Composition of foods: fruits
and fruit juices, raw, processed and prepared, Agriculture Handbook No 8-9, US
Department of Agriculture, Washington DC
Gopalan, C., Rama Sastri, B.V. and Balasubramanian, S.C. (1980) Nutritive value of
Indian foods, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research,
Hyderabad
Haytowitz, D.B. and Matthews, R.H. (1986) Composition of foods: legumes and
legume products, raw, processed and prepared. Agriculture Handbook No. 8-11, US
Lewis, J. and English, R. (1990) Composition of foods, Australia. Volume 5, nuts and
legumes, beverages, miscellaneous foods. Department of Community Services and
Health, Canberra
Marsh, A.C., Moss, M.K. and Murphy, E.W. (1977) Composition of foods: spices and
herbs, raw, processed and prepared. Agriculture Handbook No. 8-2, US Department
of Agriculture, Washington, Washington DC
McCarthy, M.A. and Matthews, R.H. (1984) Composition of foods: nut and seed
products, raw, processed and prepared. Agriculture Handbook No. 8-12, US
25
Polacchi, W., McHargue, J.S. and Perloff, B.P. (1982) Food composition tables for
the near east, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome
Posati, L.P. and Orr, M.L. (1976) Composition of foods, dairy and egg products, raw,
processed and prepared, Agriculture Handbook No. 8-1, US Department of
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. (2013) USDA
National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 26. Nutrient Data
Laboratory Home Page, http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl
Visser, F.R. and Burrows, J.K. (1983) Composition of New Zealand foods. 1,
characteristic fruits and vegetables. DSIR Bulletin 235, New Zealand Department of
Scientific and industrial Research, Wellington
Wharton, P.A., Eaton, P.M. and Day, K.C. (1983) Sorrento Asian food tables: food
tables, recipes and customs of mothers attending Sorrento Maternity Hospital,
Birmingham, England. Hum. Nutr. Appli. Nutr., 37A, 378-402
Wu Leung, W.T., Butrum, R.R., Chang, F.H., Narayama Rao, M. and Polacchi, W.
(1972) Food composition table for use in East Asia, Food and Agriculture
Organization and US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Bethesda
26
Appendix 2
Food sub-group codes
Cereals and cereal products A
Flours, grains and starches AA
Sandwiches AB
Rice AC
Pasta AD
Pizzas AE
Breads AF
Rolls AG
Breakfast cereals AI
Infant cereal foods AK
Biscuits AM
Cakes AN
Pastry AO
Buns and pastries AP
Puddings AS
Savouries AT
Milk and milk products B

Cows milk BA
Breakfast milk BAB
Skimmed milk BAE
Semi-skimmed milk BAH
Whole milk BAK
Channel Island milk BAN
Processed milks BAR
Other milks BC
Infant formulas BF
Whey-based modified milks BFD
Non-whey-based modified milks BFG
Soya-based modified milks BFJ
Follow-on formulas BFP
27
Milk-based drinks BH
Creams BJ
Fresh creams (pasteurised) BJC
Frozen creams (pasteurised) BJF
Sterilised creams BJL
UHT creams BJP
Imitation creams BJS
Cheeses BL
Yogurts BN
Whole milk yogurts BNE
Low fat yogurts BNH
Other yogurts BNS
Ice creams BP
Puddings and chilled desserts BR
Savoury dishes and sauces BV
Eggs C
Eggs CA
Egg dishes CD
Savoury egg dishes CDE
Sweet egg dishes CDH
Vegetables D
Potatoes DA
Early potatoes DAE
Main crop potatoes DAM
Chipped old potatoes DAP
Potato products DAR
Beans and lentils DB
Peas DF
Vegetables, general DG
Vegetables, dried DI
Vegetable dishes DR
28
Fruit F
Fruit, general FA
Fruit juices FC
Nuts and seeds G

Nuts and seeds, general GA
Herbs and spices H
Baby foods IF
Baby foods, granulated/powder IFB
Baby foods, canned/bottled IFC
Fish and fish products J

White fish JA
Fatty fish JC
Crustacea JK
Molluscs JM
Fish products and dishes JR
Meat and meat products M

Meat MA
Bacon MAA
Beef MAC
Lamb MAE
Pork MAG
Veal MAI
Poultry MC
Chicken MCA
Duck MCC
Goose MCE
Grouse MCG
Partridge MCI
Pheasant MCK
29
Pigeon MCM
Turkey MCO
Game ME
Hare MEA
Rabbit MEC
Venison MEE
Offal MG
Burgers and grillsteaks MBG
Meat products MI
Other meat products MIG
Meat dishes MR
Fats and oils O

Spreading fats OA
Animal fats OB
Oils OC
Non-animal fats OE
Cooking fats OF
Beverages P
Powdered drinks, essences and infusions PA
Powdered drinks and essences PAA
Infusions PAC
Soft drinks PC
Carbonated drinks PCA
Squash and cordials PCC
Juices PE
Alcoholic beverages Q
Beers QA
Ciders QC
Wines QE
Fortified wines QF
Vermouths QG
Liqueurs QI
30
Spirits QK
Sugars, preserves and snacks S

Sugars, syrups and preserves SC
Confectionery SE
Chocolate confectionery SEA
Non-chocolate confectionery SEC
Savoury snacks SN
Potato-based snacks SNA
Potato and mixed cereal snacks SNB
Non-potato snacks SNC
Soups, sauces and miscellaneous foods W

Soups WA
Home made soups WAA
Canned soups WAC
Packet soups WAE
Sauces WC
Dairy sauces WCD
Salad sauces, dressings and pickles WCG
Non-salad sauces WCN
Pickles and chutneys WE
Miscellaneous foods
31
Appendix 3
Acronyms, descriptions and units
Acronym Description Units

13CISRET 13-cis-retinol µg
25OHD3 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 µg
5METHF 5-methyl folate µg
ACAR Alpha-carotene g
ALCO Alcohol g
ALTRET All-trans-retinol µg
AOACFIB AOAC fibre g
ATOPH Alpha-tocopherol mg
ATOTR Alpha-tocotrienol mg
BCAR Beta-carotene g
BIOT Biotin g
BRASPHYTO Brassicasterol mg
BSITPHYTO Beta-sitosterol mg
BTOPH Beta-tocopherol mg
BTOPH Beta-tocopherol mg
BTOTR Beta-tocotrienol mg
CA Calcium mg
CAMPHYTO Campesterol mg
CAREQU Carotene g
CHO Carbohydrate g
CHOL Cholesterol mg
CITA Citric acid g
CL Chloride mg
COMM Comments and data source
CRYPYT Cryptoxanthins g
CU Copper mg
D5AVEN Delta-5-avenasterol mg
D7AVEN Delta-7-avenasterol mg
D7STIG Delta-7-stigmastenol mg
DEHYRET Dehydroretinol µg
DESC Food description
DTOPH Delta-tocopherol mg
DTOTR Delta-tocotrienol mg
EDPOR Edible proportion
ENGFIB Englyst fibre g
FAC10:0 Decanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
32
FAC10:1 Decenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g

FAC10:1c cis-Decenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC11:0xb ex Br Undecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC12:0 Dodecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC12:0xb ex Br Dodecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC12:1 Dodecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC12:1c cis-Dodecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC13:0xb ex Br Tridecanoic acid g
FAC14:0 Tetradecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC14:0xb ex Br Tetradecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC14:1 Tetradecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC14:1c cis-Tetradecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC15:0 Pentadecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC15:0xb ex Br Pentadecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC15:1 Pentadecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC15:1c cis-Pentadecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC16 poly unknown C16 polyunsaturated fatty acids per g
100g fatty acid
FAC16:0 Hexadecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC16:0xb ex Br Hexadecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC16:1 Hexadecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC16:1c cis-Hexadecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC16:2c cis-Hexadecadienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC16:3c cis-Hexadecatrienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC16:4 Hexadecatetraenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC16:4c cis-Hexadecatetraenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC16:UNID 16:unidentified fatty acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC17:0 Heptadecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC17:0xb ex Br Heptadecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC17:1 Heptadecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC17:1c cis-Heptadecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18 poly unknown C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids g
per 100 fatty acid
FAC18:0 Octadecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18:0xb ex Br Octadecanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18:1 Octadecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18:1c cis-Octadecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18:1n7 n-7 Octadecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18:1n9 n-9 Octadecenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18:2 Octadecadienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18:2cn6 cis n-6 Octadecadienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18:3 Octadecatrienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18:3cn3 cis n-3 Octadecatrienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
33
FAC18:3cn6 cis n-6 Octadecatrienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g

FAC18:4 Octadecatetraenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC18:4cn3 cis n-3 Octadecatetraenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20 poly unknown C20 polyunsaturated fatty acid g
per 100 fatty acid
FAC20:0 Eicosanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:0xb ex Br Eicosanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:1 Eicosenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:1c cis-Eicosenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:2 Eicosadienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:2cn6 cis n-6 Eicosadienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:3 Eicosatrienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:3cn6 cis n-6 Eicosatrienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:4 Eicosatetraenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:4cn6 cis n-6 Eicosatetraenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:5 Eicosapentaenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:5cn3 cis n-3 Eicosapentaenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC20:UNID 20:unidentified fatty acid per 100g FA g
FAC21:5 Heneicosapentaenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC21:5cn3 cis n-3 Heneicosapentaenoic acid per 100g g
fatty acids
FAC22 poly unknown C22 polyunsaturated fatty acid per g
100g fatty acid
FAC22:0 Docosanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:0xb ex Br Docosanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:1 Docosenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:1c cis-Docosenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:1n11 n-11 Docosenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:1n9 n-9 Docosenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:2 Docosadienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:2cn6 cis n-6 Docosadienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:3cn6 cis n-6 Docosatriienoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:4 Docosatetraenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:4cn6 cis n-6 Docosatetraenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:5 Docosapentaenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:5cn3 cis n-3 Docosapentaenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:6 Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per 100g fatty acids g
FAC22:6cn3 cis n-3 Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per 100g FA g
FAC22:UNID 22:unidentified fatty acid per 100g FA g
FAC24:0 Tetracosanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC24:0xb ex Br Tetracosanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC24:1 Tetracosenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC24:1c cis-Tetracosenoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
34
FAC25:0xb ex Br Pentacosanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g

FAC4:0 Butanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC6:0 Hexanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FAC8:0 Octanoic acid per 100g fatty acids g
FACTRANS Total Trans fatty acids per 100g fatty acids g
FAT Fat g
FE Iron mg
FOD10:0 Decanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD10:1 Decenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD10:1c cis-Decenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD11:0xb ex Br Undecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD12:0 Dodecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD12:0xb ex Br Dodecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD12:1 Dodecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD12:1c cis-Dodecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD13:0 Tridecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD13:0xb ex Br Tridecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD14:0 Tetradecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD14:0xb ex Br Tetradecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD14:1 Tetradecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD14:1c cis-Tetradecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD15:0 Pentadecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD15:0xb ex Br Pentadecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD15:1 Pentadecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD15:1c cis-Pentadecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16 poly unknown C16 polyunsaturated fatty acids g
per 100g food
FOD16:0 Hexadecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16:0xb ex Br Hexadecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16:1 Hexadecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16:1c cis-Hexadecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16:2 Hexadecadienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16:2c cis-Hexadecadienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16:3 Hexadecatrienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16:3c cis-Hexadecatrienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16:4 Hexadecatetraenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16:4c cis-Hexadecatetraenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD16:UNID 16:unidentified fatty acid per 100g food g
FOD17:0 Heptadecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD17:0xb ex Br Heptadecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD17:1 Heptadecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD17:1c cis Heptadecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18 poly unknown C18 polyunsaturated fatty acid per g
35
100g food
FOD18:0 Octadecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:0xb ex Br Octadecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:1 Octadecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:1c cis-Octadecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:1n7 n-7 Octadecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:1n9 n-9 Octadecenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:2 Octadecadienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:2cn6 cis n-6 Octadecadienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:3 Octadecatrienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:3cn3 cis n-3 Octadecatrienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:3cn6 cis n-6 Octadecatrienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:4 Octadecatetraenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD18:4cn3 cis n-3 Octadecatetraenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD19:0 Nonadecanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20 poly unknown C20 polyunsaturated fatty acid per g
100g food
FOD20:0 Eicosanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:0xb ex Br Eicosanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:1 Eicosenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:1c cis-Eicosenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:2 Eicosadienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:2cn6 cis n-6 Eicosadienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:3 Eicosatrienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:3cn6 cis n-6 Eicosatrienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:4 Eicosatetraenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:4cn6 cis n-6 Eicosatetraenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:5 Eicosapentaenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD20:5cn3 cis n-3 Eicosapentaenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD21:5 Heneicosapentaenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD21:5cn3 cis n-3 Heneicosapentaenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22 poly unknown polyunsaturated fatty acid per 100g food g
FOD22:0 Docosanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:0xb ex Br Docosanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:1 Docosenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:1c cis-Docosenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:1n11 n-11 Docosenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:1n9 n-9 Docosenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:2 Docosadienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:2cn6 cis n-6 Docosadienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:3cn6 cis n-6 Docosatrienoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:4 Docosatetraenoic acid per 100g food g
36
FOD22:4cn6 cis n-6 Docosatetraenoic acid per 100g food g

FOD22:5 Docosapentaenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:5cn3 cis n-3 Docosapentaenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD22:6 Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per 100g food g
FOD22:6cn3 cis n-3 Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per 100g food g
FOD24:0 Tetracosanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD24:0xb ex Br Tetracosanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD24:1 Tetracosenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD24:1c cis-Tetracosenoic acid per 100g food g
FOD25:0xb ex Br Pentacosanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD4:0 Butanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD6:0 Hexanoic acid per 100g food g
FOD8:0 Octanoic acid per 100g food g
FODTRANS Trans fatty acids per 100g food g
FOLT Folate g
FRUCT Fructose g
GALACT Galactose g
GLUC Glucose g
GROUP Food sub-group code
GTOPH Gamma-tocopherol mg
GTOTR| Gamma-tocotrienol mg
I Iodine g
K Potassium mg
KCALS kcal
KJ kJ
LACA Lactic acid g
LACT Lactose g
LUT Lutein µg
LYCO| Lycopene µg
MALA Malic acid g
MALT Maltose g
MG Magnesium mg
MN Manganese mg
MONOFAC Monounsaturated fatty acids per 100g fatty acids g
MONOFACc cis-Monounsaturated fatty acids /100g FA g
MONOFACtr trans monounsaturated fatty acids per 100 FA g
MONOFOD Monounsaturated fatty acids per 100g food g
MONOFODc cis-Monounsaturated fatty acids /100g Food g
MONOFODtr trans monounsaturated fatty acids per 100g food g
NA Sodium mg
NAME Full food name (including any preparation details)
NCF Nitrogen conversion factor
37
NIAC Niacin mg
NIACEQU Niacin equivalent mg
NUMB Food number
OLIGO Oligosaccharide g
Other CHOL Other Cholesterol and Phytosterols mg
and PHYTO
P Phosphorus mg
PANTO Pantothenate mg
PHYTO Phytosterol mg
POLYFAC Polyunsaturated fatty acids per 100g fatty acids g
POLYFACc cis-Polyunsaturated fatty acids /100g FA g
POLYFACtr trans polyunsatsaturated fatty acid per 100g g
fatty acid
POLYFOD Polyunsaturated fatty acids per 100g food g
POLYFODc cis-Polyunsaturated fatty acids /100g Food g
POLYFODtr trans polyunsaturated fatty acid per 100g food g
PREV Previous food number
PROT Protein g
PYR Pyridoxine mg
PYRAL Pyridoxal mg
PYRALP Pyridoxal phosphate mg
PYRANP Pyridoxamine phosphate mg
PYRNE Pyridoxamine mg
PYRPH Pyridoxine phosphate mg
RET Retinol g
RETALD Retinaldehyde µg
RETEQU Total retinol equivalent g
RIBO Riboflavin mg
SATFAC Saturated fatty acids per 100g fatty acids g
SATFACx6 Saturated fatty acids excluding branch per g
100 g fatty acid
SATFOD Saturated fatty acids per 100g food g
SATFODx6 Saturated fatty acids excluding branch per g
100 g food
SE Selenium g
SOLD Total solids g
SPECGRAV Specific gravity
STAR Starch g
STIGPHYTO Stigmasterol mg
SUCR Sucrose g
THIA Thiamin mg
Total PHYTO Total Phytosterols mg
TOTBRFAC Total branched chain per 100g fatty acid g
38
TOTBRFOD Total branched chain per 100g food g

TOTn3PFAC Total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids per g
100g fatty acid
TOTn3PFOD Total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids per 100g food g
TOTn6PFAC Total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids per g
100g fatty acid
TOTn6PFOD Total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids per 100g food g
TOTNIT Total nitrogen g
TOTSUG Total sugars g
TRYP60 Tryptophan divided by 60 mg
UNIDFAC Unidentified fatty acid per 100g FA g
UNIDFOD Unidentified fatty acid per 100g food g
VITB12 Vitamin B12 g
VITB6 Vitamin B6 mg
VITC Vitamin C mg
VITD Vitamin D g
VITD3 Cholecalciferol µg
VITE Vitamin E mg
VITK1 Phylloquinone g
WATER Water g
ZN Zinc mg
39

Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset User Guide

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McCance and Widdowson’s The

Composition of Foods Integrated

About Public Health England

Public Health England

For queries relating to this document, please contact: [email protected]

© Crown copyright 2015

Published March 2015

Sources of data and methods of evaluation

It is essential that food composition data is regularly updated for a number of

The following publications in The Composition of Foods series are currently

Cereals and Cereal Products, supplement (1988)

from other countries and calculations based on previous values and/or

(European Food Information Resource) datasets and tools (www.eurofir.org)

The final selection of values published here is dependent on the judgement of

CoFID data is provided as Excel workbooks containing data in worksheets

Format of Excel files

The Excel workbook consists of 13 separate worksheets:

The following notes apply to the data values:

 a trace value for a nutrient is represented by Tr

Food Code (NUMB in the ASCII file) is a number, up to six digits,

Description (DESC) Information given under the description describes the

Details of nutrient data

Edible conversion factor (EDPOR) Many foods are purchased or served

The edible conversion factor allows calculation of the nutrient content of

Specific gravity (SPECGRAV) Specific gravity is the ratio of the density

Nitrogen conversion factor (NCF) Nitrogen conversion factor used is the

Glycerol conversion factor (GCF) Glycerol conversion factor is used to

Protein (PROT) For most foods, protein is calculated by multiplying total

Fat (FAT) The fat in most foods is a mixture of triglycerides, phospholipids,

Carbohydrate (CHO) Total carbohydrate and its components, starch, total

as their monosaccharide equivalent. The values for total carbohydrate in the

Energy value (KCALS) Calculated using the conversion factors: protein 4

Starch (STAR) Includes dextrins but excludes resistant starch. Expressed as

Oligosaccharides (OLIGO) Expressed as monosaccharide equivalents. Any

Total sugars (TOTSUG) Sugars are expressed as monosaccharide

NSP (ENGFIB) Non-starch polysaccharides4 includes insoluble fibre

AOAC fibre (AOACFIB) AOAC determinations5 include resistant starch and

Fatty acids Values for total saturated (SATFOD), monunsaturated

Cholesterol (CHOL) Values are expressed as mg/100g food. To convert to

Values for are given for:

Retinol (RET) is expressed as the weight of all-trans-retinol equivalent, i.e.

Carotene (CAREQU) Represents the β-carotene activity and is the sum of

Total retinol equivalent (RETEQU) The generally accepted relationship is

Vitamin A potency as = µg retinol + µg β-carotene equivalent

Meat can contain vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) derived from the action of

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol equivalent) (VITE) Values take into account vitamin

Vitamin K1 (VITK1) Phylloquinone, the predominant, naturally-occurring,

VITAMIN FRACTIONS worksheet

FATTY ACID worksheets

ORGANIC ACIDS worksheet

Format of 7-bit ASCII files

The files currently contain three record types:

This is the descriptor record and gives explanatory text

NAME Compound cooking fat

The following notes apply to data in RECTYPE 1 records:

1. Nutrient values within round brackets, ( ), are estimated.

New food information regulations (the EU Food Information for Consumers

If a nutrition declaration is provided prior to 13 December 2016 on a voluntary

The mandatory declaration will comprise:

energy (kJ, kcal)