Updating the New Zealand Food Composition Database 2024

The New Zealand Food Composition Database (NZFCD), jointly owned by the Plant & Food Research Group, New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science and the Ministry of Health, is the country’s most comprehensive and authoritative source of high-quality food composition data. Widely used by researchers, the food industry, public health agencies, regulators, and educators, the NZFCD underpins a broad range of applications. The database is integral to national nutrition monitoring efforts, supporting national surveys and targeted dietary studies providing data for tools such as Intake24-NZ (1) . The NZFCD is reviewed annually and updates published every two years to reflect current dietary patterns. The key objectives of the 2024 release were to publish new data generated between 2022 and 2024 and remove outdated data. Most of the data for the 2024 release were derived from analytical laboratory results from appropriately accredited laboratories (2) . The NZFCD now contains 2857 foods with up to 434 components per item. There were 74 new components added compared to the previous release in 2022, although there is not data for all these components for every food. These new components include enhanced fatty acid profiles and an additional method for quantifying dietary fibre. Beyond numerical data, the NZFCD offers insight into culturally significant and contemporary foods as well as providing updated entries for some key foods to ensure data is still current (e.g. to account for formulation and fortification changes). For the first time, traditional foods such as rēwena (Māori bread), along with popular ingredients like natto, paneer, jackfruit, and some types of lentils, are included. New entries also include foods to address dietary preferences and allergies/intolerances (e.g. lactose-free yoghurts and dairy-free cheeses), snack foods, frozen fruits and canned fruit and vegetables. Some of the new foods are notable for their high protein, dietary fibre, or plant-based nutrient content. The data are made freely available online in various formats — an online search tool, FOODfiles and The Concise New Zealand Food Composition Tables (3) . A supporting manual offers technical guidance for users and computing personnel involved in setting up database management systems utilising FOODfiles data (2) . Other recent developments include participation in the creation of a food list for a new 24-hour dietary recall tool tailored to New Zealand (Intake24-NZ)3. This tool incorporates data from 968 current FOODfiles entries and 558 newly developed recipes, which are intended for inclusion in future NZFCD updates. In conclusion, regular updates of the NZFCD ensure it remains a valuable resource and has data to reflect changing dietary patterns and diverse cultural dietary practices, ensuring its suitability for New Zealand’s population.