Issues of food description

Food names and descriptions identify and distinguish among foods listed in databases. Descriptive terms may be captured in free form with the food name and in faceted systems. The INFOODS Food Description System is faceted with free text. The International Interface (which includes LANGUAL) is a faceted system with standardized vocabulary. Faceted systems provide a checklist to fully describe foods, and they allow for retrievals and matching of foods among databases. On-line dictionaries can be used to clarify implicit and complex food names. Relevant descriptive information varies among foods and food types. Information about cooking methods, ingredients, recipes, cuisine and preparation location is important to fully define some foods. Sample descriptions (as opposed to food descriptions) identify the products analyzed in the laboratory. Market share and default entries should be clearly identified. Pictures of foods (hard-copy or computerized) are useful for product identification. A universal system to describe foods will enhance the sharing and exchange of food composition data.