NVIP currently includes four databases containing information on food products. These comprise both branded and generic food products. Information is available on nutrients, allergens, sustainability characteristics, weights, and volume measures.

The databases in NVIP are jointly managed by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). RIVM focuses on dietitians and research, while the Nutrition Centre targets consumers and public information.

• Dutch Food Composition Database (NEVO): Contains extensive nutritional value information, primarily on generic food products.
• Dietary units and sizes: Provides information on the weights and volume measures of food products available in the Netherlands.
• Dutch Dietary Supplements Database (NES): Contains label information on dietary supplements.
• Dutch Branded Food Database , managed by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, contains label information on branded products (LEDA).

RIVM uses the databases from NVIP for research purposes, such as the food consumption survey, Reformulation Monitor, and the Agreement on Product Improvement (in Dutch). The Nutrition Centre uses NVIP data for consumer information, via tools (in Dutch) such as Mijn Eetmeter, ‘Kies Ik Gezond?’, and ZwangerHap.

The Importance of Food Databases

High-quality, up-to-date, and publicly available data on the composition of generic and branded food products is indispensable for developing nutrition policies and informing consumers about healthy eating (Journal of Food Composition and Analysis). To make optimal use of this information, there must be a continuous process of improving, maintaining, and updating the data (scientific article about LEDA).
By linking data, it is possible to gain integrated insight into various aspects of the health, safety, and sustainability of a product and/or dietary pattern. The intention is that, in time, other databases will also be connected to or integrated within NVIP.

Food Data Map

RIVM and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre developed the Food Data Map (gegevenskaart, in Dutch). This map provides an overview of important, independent databases and datasets relating to food products (including supplements) and the purposes for which these data are used.
The map includes, among others, the NVIP databases. RIVM and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre aim to make food and nutrition data accessible via NVIP.
Would you like more information on how to use the map, or do you have suggestions for further development of the databases? Please let us know: nvip@rivm.nl
If you have specific questions about the Branded Food Database (LEDA), please e-mail: levensmiddelendatabank@voedingscentrum.nl