Canadian Nutrient File (CNF): Update on Canadian food composition activities

A new update of Canada's food composition database, the Canadian Nutrient File (CNF) 2015, is now available on our website at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cnf. Users will find updates to many food categories, as well as additions to better reflect the continually changing food market. For 12 updated food categories, the nutrient profiles were obtained through our relatively new Sampling and Nutrient Analysis program for sample collection and analysis of Canadian food samples. Depending on the nature of the food market for a given category, the method approach to developing a sampling plan can vary. The approaches developed are outlined in this paper. The goal of CNF sampling is to provide generic food profiles that are representative of at least 85% of the market presented to the Canadian consumer. The updated nutrient data are being used to calculate nutrient intakes from the 2015 Canadian national nutrition survey, as well as inform a multitude of nutrition studies, policies and health promotion activities in Canada.