The Food Processor’s next major software update, version 11.2, delivers new features and fixes that users have requested. In addition, the nutrition and developer teams have been working diligently behind the scenes to make sure our database continues to grow and the program runs smoothly.
Nutrient Calculator
The new FDA Nutrition Labeling Regulations introduced changes in nutrient definitions and standards. For example, Vitamin D was previously a voluntary label nutrient listed in IUs. However, under the new regulations, Vitamin D is now a mandatory label nutrient listed in mcg.
As a result, we have developed the Nutrient Calculator to assist you in updating your Ingredients so that they are in line with the new label nutrients. The Nutrient Calculator can also help populate missing data in your clients’ Diet Recalls to match the new labels.
The Nutrient Calculator uses standard industry formulas so that you don’t have to look them up! Click here to learn more about the Nutrients affected and their new units of measure.
The calculator offers formulas for:
- Vitamin A (IU/mcg RAE)
- Vitamin D (IU/mcg)
- Vitamin E (IU/mg alpha-tocopherol)
- Niacin (mg/mg NE)
- Folate (mcg/mcg DFE)
- Dietary Fiber (Beneficial/Other)
When formulas are not straightforward, the calculator walks you through the decisions (eg: is Vitamin A coming from an animal or plant source?) to ensure accuracy.
In the ESHA Database, nutrition information has been populated for the new nutrient definitions as appropriate. For Vitamin D, for example, there is a straight calculation between IU and mcg, so the ESHA Database offers data in both fields for foods and ingredients that provide data for Vitamin D. For user-added ingredients, however, you will need to make this calculation yourself.
Nutrient Changes
Dietary Fiber
With the new dietary fiber definition, we have added 6 more nutrient fields. As a result, there are now 9 total Fiber-related nutrients:
New Fiber Fields for reporting Dietary Fiber on the new Nutrition Facts Label
Data that meets the new labeling definition of dietary fiber is listed in the following three fields and reported on the label as Dietary Fiber, Soluble Fiber, and/or Insoluble Fiber, respectively. This data is part of the Total Carbohydrate value and can contribute to the total Calories.
- Dietary Fiber (2016)
- Soluble Fiber (2016)
- Insoluble Fiber (2016)
New Fiber Fields for tracking and reporting other dietary fiber
Data that does not meet the new dietary fiber definition is listed in the following three fields. This data is not reported as Dietary Fiber on the label but is part of the Total Carbohydrate value and can contribute to the total Calories.
- Other Dietary Fiber (2016)
- Other Soluble Fiber (2016)
- Other Insoluble Fiber (2016)
Existing/Retained Fiber Fields
Data that meets the 1990 NLEA definition of dietary fiber is listed in the following three fields and reported on that label as Dietary Fiber, Soluble Fiber, and/or Insoluble Fiber, respectively. “Total” has been added to the name to differentiate the fields from the new fiber fields, but otherwise, the fields function the same as before.
These fiber fields are still used for DRI nutrient reporting in the Person section.
- Total Dietary Fiber
- Total Soluble Fiber
- Total Insoluble Fiber
Additional Updates
Nutrition Database
We are continually updating and improving our foods and ingredients database, ensuring data accuracy. The database updates for this version include:
- Data has been populated for the new fiber fields as appropriate.
- Dietary Fiber (2016), Soluble Fiber (2016) and Insoluble Fiber (2016)
These fields are used to report Dietary Fiber on the new FDA label. Initially they have been populated with dietary fiber data for primarily plain fruits, vegetables and grains. Data for mixed foods and approved isolated fibers will be filled in as we receive more information from the FDA and our sources. We have included zeroes where applicable. - Other Dietary Fiber (2016), Other Soluble Fiber (2016) and Other Insoluble Fiber (2016)
These fields are used to track dietary fiber that does not meet the new FDA label definition. These fields are mostly blank in the software for now, until we receive more information from the FDA. The Other Fiber fields have been added to assist with tracking/documenting all dietary fiber that is added to foods.
- Dietary Fiber (2016), Soluble Fiber (2016) and Insoluble Fiber (2016)
- Many food items have been added and updated, including data for the following manufacturers/brands and restaurants. (Discontinued items have been removed.)
- New/Updated Brand items: Aquafaba; Amy’s; Back to Nature; Bernardi; Betty Crocker; Cascadian Farm; Coca-Cola; Core Power; Dasani; Earthbound Farm; Enjoy Life; Entomo Farms; Ferrero; Fiber One; Fuze; General Mills; Glaceau; Gold Medal; Great Lakes Gelatin; Green Giant; Honest Tea; Jenny Craig; LARABAR; Minute MAID; Muir Glen; Nabisco; Nancy’s; Nature Valley; Odwalla; Old El Paso; Powerade; Roland; Simply Orange; Sunny D; Totino’s; Trader Joe’s; Vega; Wallaby; ZICO.
- Updated and/or new Restaurant items: Blimpie’s; Boston Market; Chicken Express; Cinnabon; Del Taco; Dunkin’ Donuts; Fire Mountain Grill; Freshens Fresh Food Studio; Golden Corral Buffet & Grill; Johnny Rockets; Uno Pizzeria & Grill; Panda Express; Papa Murphy’s; Red Robin; Round Table Pizza; Ryan’s Grill; Sbarro; Tim Hortons; Wendy’s.
