title: EuroFIR guidelines for assessment of methods of analysis: GAMA.
abstract: Analytical methodology is a key factor in food composition databases and specific criteria, at the component level, is needed for comparison of analytical data from different sources. The aim of this work is to describe how EuroFIR guidelines for assessment of methods of analysis are created and made available to users. Comprehensive information for macronutrients, vitamins, minerals and trace elements addressing all aspects of analytical procedures was obtained from international standards, and scientific literature. Documentation was compiled in a confluence wiki format provided for each component: background information, description of reference methods of analysis and critical steps, available reference materials, proficiency testing schemes, other analytical methods and relevant references. The information for each nutrient was collated, edited and presented with hypertext links to additional pages where more detailed information can be accessed using full text searches. The wiki format is a useful tool for preparing information and disseminating to users.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Safety and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal. Electronic address: isabel.castanheira@insa.min-saude.pt.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Castanheira
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Safety and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saraiva
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Safety and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Andreia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rego
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 27, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Velimatti
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ollilainen
mesh_terms: D000068598:Data Accuracy; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005060:Europe; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000592:standards*; D063427:Food Quality; D018673:Nutrition Policy
keywords: Analytical methods; Data quality; EuroFIR; Food composition