The Max Rubner-Institut sheds light on the food jungle

How much magnesium is contained in 100 grams of banana and  what about the real iron content of spinach? Approximately five times more than in apricots, which are usually referred as being rich in iron, but little more than in dandelions from the garden. Persons dealing with issues on nutrient content can now consult the new version of the German Nutrient Data Base 3.0 (BLS). This  database maintained by the Max Rubner-Institut has been largely revised. The BLS 3.0 covers 15,000 foods, 4,000 more than the previous version. For each  of the covered foods 130 constituent data are mentioned.

The current edition of the nutrient data base Souci-Fachmann-Kraut and analyses of the Max Rubner-Institut and its partners are integrated in the new BLS.  In the department’s kitchen laboratory the scientists developed specifically for the BLS standard recipes for common dishes, and examined these under sensory aspects. By means of nutrient retention factors and yield factors, the nutrient data for a dish or a food can be calculated in case no values are available from analytics. This means that the data for the fried or boiled carrot can be derived from the values of a fresh carrot. These nutrient retention factors for preparation methods at home (in the household) have been revised substantially.

The updated BLS also covers enriched and energy-reduced foods. Additionally, relevant nutrient contents, such as sodium in bread, cheese and sausage, sorbitol in fruits, iodine in milk, yogurt and drinking water, and minerals in potable and mineral water, have been reviewed in selected foods.

For more information on the BLS, visit the site http://www.mri.bund.de/de/service/datenbanken/bundeslebensmittelschluessel.html
Here you find also the link to the Nutrient Data Base (BLS) and under the menu „BLS-Lizenzen“  the order form.