title: Potential and requirements for a standardized pan-European food consumption survey using the EPIC-Soft software.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the strengths, limitations and requirements of using EPIC-Soft software (the software developed to conduct 24-h dietary recalls in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study) in pan-European food consumption surveys, and to discuss potentials and barriers for a harmonized pan-European food consumption survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  The paper is based on the experiences in the 'European Food Consumption and Validation' Project, which included updating six existing and preparing one new country-specific EPIC-Soft version, applying EPIC-Soft in validation and feasibility studies, and estimating the intake of nutrients and flavoring substances. The experiences were discussed in the September 2009 workshop 'Pan-European Food Consumption Surveys--for Standardized and Comparable Transnational Data Collection'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EPIC-Soft is suitable for detailed and standardized food consumption data collection in pan-European food consumption surveys. A thorough preparation of all aspects of the food consumption survey is important for the quality and efficiency during data collection and processing. The preparation and data-handling phase of working with EPIC-Soft is labor intensive and requires trained, motivated and qualified personnel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the suitability of EPIC-Soft as standardized dietary assessment tool in European dietary monitoring, the proposed strategy toward a pan-European food consumption survey is to prepare well, to allow flexibility in national extensions and to start with a limited number of countries that are interested.
authors: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. marga.ocke@rivm.nl
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mesh_terms: D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D004034:Diet Surveys / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms; D052756:Nutritional Sciences; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012984:Software; D054928:Validation Studies as Topic