AUSNUT Sodium Data
Australian Food and Nutrient Database 1999 for estimation of dietary intake
AUSNUT 1999 is a food and nutrient database released by FSANZ in November 1999. A major limitation of AUSNUT99 is that it does not contain sodium values. This is because it is based on the technical support files used to analyse the 1995 National Nutrition Survey food intake data and, due to the difficulty in measuring discretionary salt use, an analysis of sodium intake was not undertaken as part of the NNS.
Sodium is a nutrient of particular public health concern. High sodium intakes (primarily through salt consumption) may be associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension.
Is AUSNUT 1999 together with the sodium data now appropriate to assist in food labelling?
No. AUSNUT 1999 is not the most appropriate database to assist in food labelling. For labelling purposes, FSANZ has developed the Nutrition Panel Calculator (NPC), a web-based nutrition-labelling tool that is supported by a revised version of AUSNUT called AUSNUT Special Edition (3) (link to page 6). Food manufacturers and suppliers are strongly advised to use the NPC and AUSNUT Special Edition (3) in preference to AUSNUT 1999, as the data presented have been specifically revised for food labelling purposes.
How do I obtain AUSNUT99 sodium data?
AUSNUT 1999 Sodium Data is available for download here.