Portuguese Food Information Resource – sharing of food data, information and knowledge

Oliveira, Luísa; Machado, Claudia; Dantas, M.Ascenção; Viegas, Silvia

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/609

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Abstract(s)

PortFIR (Portuguese Food Information Resource) is a program for the implementation of national networks of knowledge and data sharing in the areas of nutrition and food safety, and might be considered a spin-off of EuroFIR. The main aims of PortFIR are to promote synergy among the different actors in these fields in order to optimize the usage of national resources, and to manage and deliver data and information. Therefore, Port in PortFIR stands for Portal as well. This Portal, currently in its early stages of development, will include sustainable and quality assured food databases on composition, contamination (chemical and microbiological) and consumption and functionalities to electronically transmit and exchange data with international and national organisations, namely EuroFIR and EFSA. The PortFIR program is coordinated by the National Institute of Health (INSA) in a partnership with GS1 Portugal and with the support of governmental and private organizations encompassing health, agriculture and economy sectors. The Portuguese Food Composition Network was the first PortFIR network to be created and started its activity formally in October 2009 with the ultimate purpose of maintaining and updating the national food composition database (FCDB). Since January 2010, four Working Groups – Sampling, Organization and Transfer of Information, Users, Support to Standardization Work - are developing their activity. The network has currently 58 members, representing namely, food industry and distribution, state and private laboratories, universities, and regulators, of which 28 have declared their willingness to share data with the national FCDB. The Portuguese Food Microbiological Information Network, the second network created, was launched formally in October 2010 during the 3rd PortFIR Annual Meeting, and to date more than 80 entities already responded positively to the invitation to participate. The work in progress reveals that PortFIR activities are important to promote the use and quality of food data at national and international level. Keywords: PortFIR, National Network, Food databases, Food composition, Food Safety