EuroFIR supports recent FoodComp Course at Wageningen University
Several EuroFIR Directors and members attended and gave presentations at the recent course held at WICC on 23rd-28th June 2024 hosted by Prof. Edith Feskens and her team. It was the first food comp course since 2019 and was attended by 25 participants from 17 countries, including two recipients of EuroFIR’s Susanne Westenbrink Bursary, Bogdana Simonovic (IMR, RS) and Andreia Lopes (INSA, PT).
Hettie Schonfeldt (EuroFIR Director, University of Pretoria – ZA) presented on setting priorities for foods and nutrients and sampling design. Paul Hulshof (ex WUR – NL) introduced some statistical principles on sampling and introduced the group exercises. Katja Sandfuchs (Member, MRI – DE) described the importance of food description and nomenclature, food classification and description system (LanguaL and FoodEx2) and introduced the exercise on food indexing. Karl Presser (EuroFIR President, Premotec – CH) covered data management principles and a FoodCase exercise. Paul Finglas (Director, EuroFIR) gave an overview of EuroFIR’s role and activities, and introduced the EFSA-funded project on creating an European open access food composition database, with an emphasis of the new quality framework.
As part of the course, a symposium highlighted the many contributions Susanne Westenbrink (RIVM – NL) made to the food composition field over the last 20 years. Karl Presser talked about Susanne’s contribution to data quality including introduction of FoodCase for compilers. Hettie Schonfeldt described the current debate around the nitrogen to protein conversion factors for food protein sources, whilst Paul Finglas gave his views on whether we can take food composition data for granted from an European perspective.
Amos Anim, a participant from Ghana described the course on LinkedIn as a transformative experience, “Throughout the course, I’ve gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complexities of generating and maintaining a food composition database, the importance of accurate nutritional data, and the latest analytical protocols. The group discussions were particularly impactful, allowing me to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, enhancing my skills and confidence in food compositional studies.“
The next course is planned in two years time, and we would welcome suggestions and ideas for course topics as well as nominations for our EuroFIR bursaries to [email protected]
Additionally, we invite you to review the report from the participants of the Food Comp Course below..
Travelling to Wageningen for the FoodComp course (24-28th June 2024) was my first solo trip. Initially, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension, but upon arrival I relaxed and felt safe. Instead, the journey felt daunting yet adventurous. I have been waiting for this course since I started as a food compiler in 2019. It exceeded my expectations, and I felt a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. Interacting with professionals in my field increased my enthusiasm and motivation. Despite the intensity of the course, the green surroundings and fresh air helped me stay relaxed. Although I felt lost at times, the practical work and examples helped me keep up. Listening to and learning from professionals with different areas of expertise, in particular other food compilers, helped me understand different challenges and potential collaborations. The mini-symposium dedicated to Susanne Westenbrink´s work was moving, and interactions with other experts reinforced the importance of continuous learning. Overall, the course was a significant learning experience, enriching and motivating. This experience emphasised the value of leaving my comfort zone and embracing new challenges for professional and personal growth. I would like to conclude by expressing my gratitude to EuroFIR for supporting me in this remarkable opportunity. The interactions with people from around the world were invaluable and will be cherished. I hope to see many of them again in the near future.
Andreia Lopes, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Portugal
My Experience at the FoodCompCourse 24-28th June 2024
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the FoodCompCourse in Wageningen (NL), thanks to a generous scholarship from EuroFIR. The course covered a wide range of topics related to the use, analysis, and completion of food composition databases. We began by exploring the design of sampling protocols and their relevance to nutrients and health, as well as setting priorities for foods and nutrients. The course also delved into the preparation of samples for analysis and the detailed process of nutrient analysis. Participants were given tasks related to describing foods and worked extensively with FoodEx, enhancing our practical skills. We also learned about the application of yield and retention factors and focused on data quality assessment. An integral part of the course was working in groups, where we presented our findings as a team at the end of the course. This collaborative experience was invaluable, fostering both professional growth and personal connections. I am deeply grateful to EuroFIR for making this enriching experience possible, which has significantly enhanced my knowledge and skills in food data analysis.
Bogdana Simonović, Belgrade, Serbia, 1.7.2024.
