[General criteria for the development and use of data tables and systems on food composition]

The growing interest in the field of community nutrition and nutritional quality has originated a major demand on food composition information. This has made an increase in the number of food composition tables as well as in its applications. However, often the appropriate interpretation of the information obtained is misused. Food composition tables need to be considered as data systems, not only restricted to the tabulated information, that try to compile composition of most important representative food in the region. Difficulties arising from this method at different levels (sampling, analytical procedures, data presentation, etc.) make to the researcher the need to consider several risks. On the other hand, the application of food composition tables is subjected to many sources of variability. The present work tries to make clear the main considerations in using food composition tables appropriately, as well as in managing software and interpreting results from food consumption studies.