As a consumer in Australia, you have access to information to help you make smart decisions for your food.
A database called NUTTAB 2010 has been put together and is available for free in order to give you educational information about foods available for your purchase and consumption. You can search the database to learn all of the nutritional information about a food if you are interested in purchasing it to keep in your pantry. The database is quick and easy to use.
The Searchable Site
The NUTTAB 2010 database is available through the Commission for Food Standards in Australia and New Zealand. You can visit a searchable database that will allow you to find foods in a few different ways. To begin your search, follow these steps:
- Go to the NUTTAB 2010 Website
- Choose how you wish to search. You can search by the name of the food, by an alphabetical listing, by food group, or by specific nutrient.
- When you find your food, click on the link.
- You will see a complete nutritional breakdown of the food.
The Details
The breakdown is very detailed. To begin with, you will see a description of the food or nutrient along with any alternative names it goes by. You will then see scientific information on how the nutrients were found through sampling and testing.
Finally, you will see an actual list of all the nutrients found in the food along with a value for them. They are broken down into categories, including:
- Proximates
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Fatty Acids
- Amino Acids
Why You Need to Know
There are many reasons why you need to know what is in the foods you eat. If you have a specific allergy, having access to thorough details of ingredients and nutrients will help you avoid anything that may be dangerous.
Additionally, you can keep up with what kind of nutritional value you are gaining from the meals you prepare.
It is a smart idea to be an aware consumer. If you just purchase foods based on their labels, you may only be getting half the story. To get a real picture of what is in the item you may purchase and consume, you can use the NUTTAB 2010 database. This thorough listing, supported by the Commission for Food Safety, will give you real details of nutrients, minerals, and other substances in a variety of different food items available to you in Australia.
