Portuguese food composition database quality management system.

Area of Science:

• Food Science and Technology
• Quality Management Systems
• Data Harmonization

Background:

• Harmonization of food composition databases (FCDB) is crucial for users, producers, and stakeholders.
• The European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR) developed guidelines and quality requirements for FCDB harmonization.
• The Portuguese National Institute of Health (INSA) is the national FCDB compiler and a EuroFIR partner, with an existing QMS compliant with ISO/IEC 17025.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the strategy and progress of extending INSA's Quality Management System (QMS) to the Portuguese Food Composition Database (FCDB).
• To align the Portuguese FCDB QMS with European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR) guidelines.

Main Methods:

• A stepwise approach was employed to extend INSA's QMS to the Portuguese FCDB.
• Key steps included selecting reference standards, collecting quality documents, assessing QMS adequacy, implementing requirements, and conducting EuroFIR preassessment audits.

Main Results:

• The extension of INSA's QMS to the Portuguese FCDB was achieved through consensus-based establishment of QMS elements.
• Selected requirements included ISO/IEC 17025 management and technical requirements, alongside EuroFIR guidelines.
• Implementation reduced compilation subjectivity, improved documentation, facilitated training, and strengthened cooperation among FCDB actors.

Conclusions:

• ISO/IEC 17025 management requirements provide an adequate and familiar reference for implementing the INSA FCDB QMS.
• Combining quality systems with food composition activities ensures flexibility, consistency, and transparency in the FCDB compilation process.
• This approach enhances monitoring, assessment, and confidence among FCDB users, data producers, and compilers.