Quality-control materials in the USDA National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP).
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL) develops and maintains the USDA National Nutrient Databank System (NDBS). Data are released from the NDBS for scientific and public use through the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR) ( http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl ). In 1997 the NDL initiated the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) to update and expand its food-composition data. The program included: 1) nationwide probability-based sampling of foods; 2) central processing and archiving of food samples; 3) analysis of food components at commercial, government, and university laboratories; 4) incorporation of new analytical data into the NDBS; and 5) dissemination of these data to the scientific community. A key feature and strength of the NFNAP was a rigorous quality-control program that enabled independent verification of the accuracy and precision of analytical results. Custom-made food-control composites and/or commercially available certified reference materials were sent to the laboratories, blinded, with the samples. Data for these materials were essential to ongoing monitoring of analytical work, to identify and resolve suspected analytical problems, to ensure the accuracy and precision of results for the NFNAP food samples.
Phillips
Katherine M
KM
Biochemistry Department (0308), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA. kmpvpi@vt.edu
Patterson
Kristine Y
KY
Rasor
Amy S
AS
Exler
Jacob
J
Haytowitz
David B
DB
Holden
Joanne M
JM
Pehrsson
Pamela R
PR
D000383:Agriculture; D004032:Diet; D035082:Federal Government; D005504:Food Analysis; D006801:Humans; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011786:Quality Control; D012015:Reference Standards; D014481:United States; D016885:United States Department of Agriculture