Food Database -- Where is it coming from?

jamesfit99
jamesfit99 Posts: 61
edited November 12 in Food and Nutrition
I'm new here and have been reading about inaccuracies in the food database, apparently supplied by members. Frankly, I didn't even know the database was compiled by members.

(1) So when you do a search on your phone's MFP's software for something -- say "Apple Pie" -- you come up with multiple listings, many referencing store bought brand name's. Are these values supplied by the manufacturer? An independent database? Members? Or a combination of the aforementioned? If a combination, then it would be helpful if the source of the information was made clear. Maybe a "M" for manufacturer, a "MFP" for MFP member, or some other symbol if an independent database. And what about a generic item like an "apple" -- I always assumed that these values came from an independent database, or are generic values also supplied by members?

(2) Same questions about the info I get when I scan a barcode with my MFP software. Where exactly does this info come from. In most cases I've found the barcode scans pretty accurate with the food labels, but in some cases the values were off.

-- James.

Replies

  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    When you search online, most of the items in the database have an asterisk next to them, and it says at the bottom "* = Nutritional information provided by another MyFitnessPal member."
  • jamesfit99
    jamesfit99 Posts: 61
    Maybe I'm looking at the wrong place, but using my example again -- "appple pie" -- the first ten items in the database do not have asterisk next to them. The database I'm talking about is the one on my phone using MFP software.


    -- James
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    I edited my comment to specifically say it was the web database. But if you're commenting on the forums you have to be using the web version of the site anyways.
  • jamesfit99
    jamesfit99 Posts: 61
    Thanks. I see what you mean now. Too bad, that info isn't available on the Mobile App, because that's pretty much what I use to log, look up, and scan my foods, etc. I actually do comment on these forums frequently from my phone, but I go to the website in those instances. Having to use the website on my phone to enter and lookup food, etc., would be very cumbersome.

    What about the nutritional information you get when you scan a bar code? where do those values come from?

    -- James
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