10 replies to this topic

[Mercedes]

Hi,

 

I would like to know how would you calculate the nutritional composition of a new product without send it to the lab for chemical analysis.

I know that I can use the specification of every sub ingredient of the new product and calculate it with an excel sheet for example. However, I would like to know if there is any software that you would recommend me.

 

This will help me to predict the shelf life of the product.

 

I would appreciate your input

 

 

[mapry2]

We use this Health Canada Database which generates report in Excel format:

 

http://webprod3.hc-s...e/index-eng.jsp

[Mercedes]

Thanks for your answer.

 

 I know there are data bases. However, I am looking for a software were you can insert a recipe and gives you nutritional values.

It does not have to be very accurate, for guidance only.

[YongYM]

Dear Mercedes:

 

When I was in R&D dept, I seek the help from my colleague (from IT dept) to write an in-house program for me. Initially, it was quite tough as he did not understand the whole process. We explained to him the calculation involved as well as the compulsory parameters, rounding rules, serving size and different importing countries' nutrition panel (formats). Once the program was ready, we key in the latest nutrition composition of each ingredient as well as the recipe. From there, I can generate different nutrition panels based on different countries. But, sad to inform that I did not really have the chance to use it as I was being transferred to QA dept then.

 

If you are not able to find a software, you may consider this.

 

 

Yong

Edited by YongYM, 22 February 2014 - 04:05 AM.

[Gunapathi]

http://www.foodstand...troduction.aspx

 

Go to this website. Australian Food Standards, it is free and the database collection is very huge. It calculates the serve size NIP levels and all.

[Charles.C]

http://www.foodstand...troduction.aspx

 

Go to this website. Australian Food Standards, it is free and the database collection is very huge. It calculates the serve size NIP levels and all.

Dear Gunapathi,

 

Thks for the interesting  link.

 

In the interests of Science I tried out the link.

 

Some people will be daunted by the questionnaire to get to the full database. i was one of them and didn't proceed.

 

On the other hand getting to the recipe section is less demanding despite the forboding text box, ie clicking "agree" on next page not too difficult.

The next page just requires an arbitrary input, eg recipe1 > continue, click

Next page just type in anything of interest and the data comes up. I presume this accesses the total database.

 

The results are variable. Perhaps reflecting the Australian eating habits ?

 

eg

 

potato - 65 hits

shark - 4 hits

shrimp - 1 hit

kangaroo - 5 hits

 

Unfortunately no species info is given within the search output. Maybe it exists in the full database.

 

The help file is quite good, and also honest, eg - 

 

However, the NPC has limitations when the preparation of your food involves boiling or frying, especially where the water or oil is not completely absorbed by the food.
The NPC also has limitations when the preparation of your food involves baking with yeast (fermentation), fermentation (with other bacteria e.g. yoghurt) and other certain processes.
 
If you make these types of foods, it is important for you to become acquainted with these limitations and ways to get around them. For further information, see Section 11 of the full Explanatory Notes.

(Was unable to see any directions to section 11.)

 

Bear in mind that the NPC database does not have an extensive range of raw/unprocessed ingredients, meat cuts devoid of separable fat and products that are used exclusively by the food industry (ingredients, food additives or processing aids e.g. enzymes), so it is possible that the ingredient you are looking for simply isn’t on the NPC database.

 

Nonetheless, certainly interesting to browse through. Whether viable to put on a labelling panel is more uncertain? Maybe not intended for such purposes ?

 

Personally i have always had to submit samples to a lab since i didn't have access to the more famous/standard texts on the subject.

 

Rgds / Charles.C

[jenky]

Hi Mercedes -

We use the software program Genesis to calculate nutritionals.  It comes with a database of preloaded nutritionals, but you can also add your own nutritionals for specific ingredients that you use.  Entering in your product formula and generating the nutritional content is very easy.  Hope this helps.

[KTD]

Mercedes -
The Genesis software Jennifer B mentions is very good - and quite expensive last time I checked.
A web search for 'nutritional panel calculation software' pulled up several hits that looked reasonable.

[Tony-C]

Thanks for your answer.

 

 I know there are data bases. However, I am looking for a software were you can insert a recipe and gives you nutritional values.

It does not have to be very accurate, for guidance only.

 

Hi Mercedes,

 

I have used Nutricalc on several sites. It looks a bit dated but works fine.

 

Regards,

 

Tony

Edited by Tony-C, 27 February 2014 - 07:16 AM.

[SusanC]

I use Nutricalc also and if you don't want to buy the software you can get them to do the analysis for you for a fee.

[Mercedes]

Great, this is what I was exactly looking for!!

Thanks