Our Data Sources

USDA FoodData Central

The primary data source for all nutrition information on Nutosa is USDA FoodData Central (FDC), a comprehensive food composition database maintained by the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central is the U.S. government authoritative source for food nutrient data and is widely used by researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and food industry professionals worldwide.

FoodData Central consolidates data from multiple USDA food composition programs into a single, integrated system. It replaced the older USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR) and provides expanded coverage of both standard reference foods and branded food products.

SR Legacy Database

The SR Legacy (Standard Reference Legacy) dataset is the foundation of our nutrition data for common, unbranded foods. This dataset contains research-grade nutrient profiles for over 7,000 food items, including fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, grains, legumes, nuts, and beverages.

Nutrient values in the SR Legacy dataset are determined through rigorous laboratory analysis. Food samples are collected from multiple locations across the United States to account for regional variability in growing conditions, feed, and processing methods. Analytical methods used include:

Proximate analysis — for determining moisture, protein (Kjeldahl method), total fat (acid hydrolysis/ether extraction), ash, and carbohydrates (calculated by difference).

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) — for measuring individual vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin C, B-vitamins, and vitamin E.

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy — for quantifying mineral content including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc.

Gas chromatography — for detailed fatty acid profiles, including saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The SR Legacy dataset is considered the gold standard for food composition data and is the same source cited in thousands of peer-reviewed nutrition research papers.

Branded Food Products Database

In addition to standard reference foods, Nutosa includes nutrition data for hundreds of thousands of branded and packaged food products. This data comes from the USDA Global Branded Food Products Database (GFBPD), which collects Nutrition Facts label data submitted by food manufacturers.

The branded dataset allows our users to look up nutrition facts for specific store-bought products — including items from major brands and private-label products sold in U.S. grocery stores. Values in this dataset reflect what appears on the product Nutrition Facts label as required by FDA labeling regulations (21 CFR 101).

Together, the SR Legacy and Branded Food Products databases give Nutosa users access to nutrition facts for nearly 2 million food items — from raw, whole foods to packaged snacks and beverages.

Daily Value References

All Daily Value (DV) percentages shown on Nutosa are based on the reference diet of 2,000 calories per day, as established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We use the most current Daily Reference Values (DRVs) and Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs), which were updated by the FDA in 2016 and reflected on Nutrition Facts labels since January 2020.

Key reference values used on Nutosa include: Total Fat (78g), Saturated Fat (20g), Cholesterol (300mg), Sodium (2,300mg), Total Carbohydrate (275g), Dietary Fiber (28g), Added Sugars (50g), Protein (50g), Vitamin D (20mcg), Calcium (1,300mg), Iron (18mg), and Potassium (4,700mg).

Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, sex, activity level, and health status. The 2,000-calorie reference diet is a general guideline and may not be appropriate for everyone. Consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized dietary advice.

How We Process Data

Nutosa imports data directly from USDA FoodData Central bulk download files. Our data processing pipeline includes several quality assurance steps:

1. Import validation: We verify the integrity of downloaded USDA files using checksums and compare record counts against published totals.

2. Anomaly detection: Automated checks flag nutrient values that fall outside expected ranges for a given food category (for example, a fruit showing 90g of protein per 100g would be flagged for review).

3. Unit standardization: All nutrient values are normalized to a per-100-gram basis for consistent comparison, with serving size conversions calculated from USDA-provided portion weight data.

4. Regular updates: When the USDA publishes new FoodData Central releases (typically several times per year), we update our database accordingly.

Limitations and Disclaimers

While we strive for maximum accuracy, users should be aware of inherent limitations in food composition data:

Natural variability: Nutrient content in whole foods varies based on growing conditions, soil quality, ripeness, storage duration, and preparation methods. The values on Nutosa represent averages derived from multiple samples and may not exactly match any individual item you purchase.

Branded product changes: Manufacturers may reformulate products over time. While we update our data regularly, there may be a lag between a product reformulation and the updated data appearing in the USDA database and subsequently on our site.

Not medical advice: Nutosa provides nutrition information for educational and informational purposes only. The data on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about a medical condition or dietary needs.

If you believe any data on Nutosa is incorrect, please contact us so we can investigate and correct it.