D2.1.10(b) Scientific paper describing selected European food composition database management and organisational structures
Creators: name: University of Surrey (partner 37)
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2005
Subjects: NoE and NEXUS Projects
The EuroFIR Food Platform
EuroFIR

description: 1. IntroductionThe importance of European cooperation in the domain of food composition data has been recognised by the European Commission by funding the European Food Information Resource Network (EuroFIR), a Network of Excellence on food composition databank systems, which has started in January 2005. EuroFIR aims to advance previous collaborative efforts that were undertaken with regard to improving the quality, availability and comparability of food composition data. EuroFIR wants to provide the first comprehensive pan-European food information resource, using state-of-the-art database linking, to allow effective data management, updating, extending and comparability. One of the main conditions requested by the funding body is to shape the cooperation on European level in a way that it will continue to exist beyond the funding period; in other words, that the European collaboration will be established in a self-sustaining manner. Food composition data have been compiled or are in the process of being compiled in many European countries. National governments require this data to assess the nutritional status of the population with food consumption surveys and to develop, implement and monitor integrated and comprehensive food and nutrition policies. Before EuroFIR can decide on the shape of the future European cooperation, the currently, on national level, existing management and organisational structures need to be determined. The aim of this paper is to highlight similarities and differences between selected European countries’ organisational structures and management of the compilation process of food composition data for their national databases. Selected European national food composition database compilers were interviewed with focus on the history, management structures, funding sources, and lines of communication with users and stakeholders. The main purpose of this analysis is to determine what structures and relationships exist that enable interaction between stakeholders, users and compilers of food composition data on a national level and whether they are sustainable in the future. In particular, the relationship between national food composition database compilers and the national food consumption survey managers is taken into consideration, as they play a dominant key stakeholder role in the compilation process of food composition data. In the context of sustainability, it is imperative to consider what is the motivation for stakeholders to produce and maintain food composition database systems. In addition, it is important to understand which parts of the data production process they “own” in terms of providing management, funds or carrying out tasks. In order to ensure EuroFIR is sustainable, it will have to engage stakeholders to buy into the delivery of its aims. Thus, EuroFIR needs to understand what motivates stakeholders to buy into what it set out to deliver. The results of the analysis of management and organisational structures will be assumed into EuroFIR’s commercialisation and durability plans.