Individual-level quantitative dietary data can provide suitably disaggregated information to identify the needs of all population sub-groups, which can in turn inform agricultural, nutrition, food safety, and environmental policies and programs. The purpose of this discussion paper is to provide an overview of dietary surveys conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 1980 to 2019, analyzing their key characteristics to understand the trends in dietary data collection across time. The present study analyzes the information gathered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT). FAO/WHO GIFT is a growing repository of individual-level dietary data and contains information about dietary surveys from around the world, collected through published survey results, literature reviews, and direct contact with data owners. The analysis indicates an important increase in the number of dietary surveys conducted in LMICs in the past four decades and a notable increase in the number of national dietary surveys. It is hoped that this trend continues, together with associated efforts to validate and standardize the dietary methods used. The regular implementation of dietary surveys in LMICs is key to support evidence-based policies for improved nutrition.

Introduction Understanding the various eating habits of different population groups, according to the geographical area, is critical to develop evidence-based policies for nutrition and food safety. The FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT) is a novel open-access online platform, hosted by FAO and supported by WHO, providing access to harmonized individual quantitative food consumption (IQFC) data, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods FAO/WHO GIFT disseminates IQFC data as ready-to-use food-based indicators in the form of infographics, and as microdata. The infographics intend to facilitate the use of these data by policy makers, providing an overview of key data according to population segments and food groups. The microdata is publicly available for download, and is intended for users that would like to do further analysis of the data. Results FAO/WHO GIFT is a growing repository. By June 2020, 14 datasets were available for dissemination and download, and an additional 44 datasets will be made available by 2022. FAO/WHO GIFT also provides an inventory of existing IQFC data worldwide, which currently contains detailed information on 268 surveys conducted in 105 countries. Conclusions FAO/WHO GIFT collates, harmonizes and disseminates IQFC data collected in different countries. This harmonization is aimed at enhancing the consistency and reliability of nutrient intake and dietary exposure assessments globally. FAO/WHO GIFT is developed in synergy with other global initiatives aimed at increasing the quality, availability and use of IQFC data in LMICs to enable evidence-based policy-making for better nutrition and food safety.

The FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT) is a novel open-access online platform hosted by FAO and supported by WHO. FAO/WHO GIFT is aimed at increasing the quality, availability and use of individual quantitative food consumption (IQFC) data in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to enable evidence-based decision-making and policy development for better nutrition and food safety. The platform is developed in synergy with other global initiatives working with food consumption data (e.g. Intake, Global Dietary Database, FAO/WHO FOSCOLLAB). The main objective of the session is to give the opportunity to participants to apply the knowledge gained over the previous sessions. Participants will be divided in small groups to do hands-on exercises using the features of the platform. Participants will learn how to identify existing IQFC surveys worldwide using the FAO/WHO GIFT inventory map. Participants will also explore the potential of the Indicators section of the platform according to the needs of different fields of work (food consumption, food safety and nutrition). Expert users will learn how to download dietary microdata and how to take advantage of other data sources using the same food classification and description system - FoodEx2. The workshop will close with a brainstorm session on how the FAO/WHO GIFT platform can be improved to support participants work.

Introduction FoodEx2 is a food classification and description system developed and maintained by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It is currently used at global level with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) to harmonize datasets in the FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool - FAO/WHO GIFT. This is an open access online platform hosted by FAO and supported by WHO, for collation and dissemination of individual quantitative food consumption data, especially from low- and middle-income countries. Objective To demonstrate FoodEx2's usefulness in global harmonization of food description in food consumption datasets and its potential in facilitating food matching for various types of food data. Methodology Information was gathered from data owners of food consumption datasets and others who were trained to use FoodEx2, and on the number of datasets that have initiated or completed their data harmonization process, as a result of the FAO/WHO/EFSA collaboration. Main Findings Over 50 data owners of food consumption data and/or food composition tables (FCT) have been trained in data re-categorization with FoodEx2. As a result, 6 FCT and 25 food consumption datasets from 18 countries were or are being coded with FoodEx2, and out of those, 30 datasets are or will soon be disseminated through FAO/WHO GIFT in the form of infographics and microdata. Additionally, at least 3 databases of greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) estimates of foods have been mapped with FoodEx2. Conclusions Increased harmonization with FoodEx2 would enhance the consistency and reliability of nutrient intake assessments. Harmonization with FoodEx2 is being used to assess the environmental impact of diets and help identifying sustainable food consumption patterns.