USDA FoodData Central (FDC)

USDA FoodData Central (FDC) is a publicly accessible database that provides detailed information about the nutrient composition of a wide variety of foods. It is maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture and serves as a primary resource for nutrition data in the United States. The database includes information on macronutrients, micronutrients, and other food components, offering users a reliable source for understanding the nutritional value of different foods.

In the context of calorie tracking, FDC is a critical resource for users who wish to accurately log their food intake. Many calorie-tracking applications integrate FDC data to provide users with precise nutritional information, including calorie counts and nutrient breakdowns. This integration allows users to make informed dietary choices and helps them adhere to their nutritional goals. The accuracy and comprehensiveness of the FDC database enhance the reliability of calorie tracking, as users can find detailed information about both common and obscure food items.

Why this matters in our scoring: The USDA FoodData Central is integral to the accuracy of calorie-tracking applications, contributing significantly to the accuracy score (30%) in our TBI rubric. Applications that utilize FDC data benefit from a robust and verified database (20%), ensuring that users receive trustworthy information. Furthermore, the integration of FDC data can enhance the user experience (UX) score (10%) by providing seamless access to nutrient information. Overall, the use of USDA FoodData Central is a key factor in evaluating the effectiveness and reliability of calorie-tracking applications.