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From:
Barbara Selley <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Barbara Selley <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 12 May 2015 21:30:43 -0400
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Hello all,

I value this listserv for many reasons, not least of which being that it
brings analysts, databases compilers and users together to better understand
the viewpoints of one another and the issues that concern them.

Jessica’s original question highlights the importance of including
volume-to-weight (and count-to-weight) conversion factors in databases and
other publications—not very important to the chemist but essential for the
end user.

 

To answer Professor D’Antuono’s question “why not go to directly to weight?”

Food recalls and records often report food quantities by volume, and the
same is true for recipe ingredient listings (especially in North America).
It would be much easier if all were recorded by weight but this isn’t going
to happen in the real world. Hence, the need for volume to weight conversion
factors.

To avoid confusion conversion factor names need to be detailed.

The following examples are derived from USDA SR27. 

NDB # 01005

Cheese, brick.             Wt g

100 mL diced              56

100 mL shredded        48

100 cc solid                 104

 

Food quantities may also be expressed as counts, e.g. 3 carrots, for which
default conversion factors are also required.

NDB# 11124

Carrots, raw                Wt g

100 mL chopped         54

100 mL grated                        46

100 mL strips or slices            52

 

1 large (19-22 cm)      72

1 medium*                  61

1 small (14 cm)                       50

*or size not specified

 

I’d like to suggest the terms “volume-to-weight” and “count-to-weight”
conversion factors. Their purpose is clearly stated, so they are less likely
to cause confusion than “density conversion factor.”

 

A further related point: when analyzing recipes for which nutrients per unit
of weight will be added to a database, both the tested finished weight and
volume should be recorded. The volume-to-weight conversion derived from this
information will permit the user to enter volume quantities.

 

Kind regards,

Barbara Selley, RD
Food Intelligence
[log in to unmask]
416 962 2884

 

 

From: Food Composition Discussion Group
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Anders Møller
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2015 2:34 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Best Practices for Calculating Density Conversion Factors

 

Yes, David!

That is what I missed – the particles size is an important measure to
consider – and report.

Thanks,

Anders

 

From: Food Composition Discussion Group [
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Haytowitz, David
Sent: 11 May 2015 19:47
To:  <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
[log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Best Practices for Calculating Density Conversion Factors

 

Hello:

   The hard part of determining the density of foods is getting an accurate
measure of the volume.  Foe liquids, it’s fairly straightforward.  You take
a graduated cylinder and weigh it with and without the liquid and you can
read the volume off the markings.  This will also work with dry powders and
foods composed of small particles.  However, the final measurement of the
density will be affected by the degree of compaction.  This is why we see
recipes in the US call for sifted flour, as we use cups rather than weighing
out the flour.

  However trying to determine the volume of an irregularly shaped piece of
food, say a piece of broccoli or a loaf of bread, is much harder.
Archimede’s principle figures out volume by displacement, but you can’t use
water if the material you’re measuring will absorb the water, so you have to
use a dry substance, such as very small seeds.  The baking industry
traditionally used canola seeds, but any very small seed will do.  You
determine the volume of the seeds, then add the food you’re measuring being
sure to completely cover it, then measure the volume again.

  Hope this is helpful.

 

 

David B. Haytowitz

Nutritionist

USDA, Agricultural Research Service

Nutrient Data Laboratory

Room 207A, Building 005, BARC-West

10300 Baltimore Avenue

Beltsville, MD 20705

301.504.0714 (voice)

301.504.0632 (fax)

 <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]

 

 

 

From: Food Composition Discussion Group [
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Charrondiere, Ruth
(ESN)
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2015 10:43 AM
To:  <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
[log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Best Practices for Calculating Density Conversion Factors

 

Dear Jessica,

you take a laboratory scale, put an empty glass or other container on it,
weigh it. Then fill it up with water coming from the fridge. weigh it.
Record the difference in weight which is your volume. Then weigh all foods
in this container and divide it by the volume. Describe the food well, e.g.
fish powder, loose; raw eggplant without skin in 1 cm cubes. Record your
location (altitude). I would be happy to include your data in our next
version of the FAO/INFOODS density database

 

Best wishes

Ruth

 

P.S. Anyone else willing to contribute data are most welcome

  _____  

From: Food Composition Discussion Group
[[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Raneri, Jessica
(Bioversity) [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2015 2:12 PM
To:  <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
[log in to unmask]
Subject: Best Practices for Calculating Density Conversion Factors

Dear Infoods Members,

 

We’re currently attempting to identify the density conversion factors of
some unique foods in Vietnam in order to analyse 24hr recall data. Is anyone
aware of guidelines or best-practices manual on how to calculate these
densities? We would like to eventually make the data publically available.

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Jessica Raneri, MSc
Nutritionist,  Research Support Officer

Nutrition and Marketing Diversity Programme, 

 <http://www.bioversityinternational.org/> Bioversity International 
Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a 
00057 Maccarese (Fiumicino) 
Rome, Italy 

 

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

 

 

 

 

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