We are pleased to share that the 14th International Food Data Conference (IFDC) successfully took place from 1 to 3 September 2025 at FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy.

The IFDC is a three-day meeting of technical experts, typically held biennially. The 14th IFDC was organized by FAO, bringing together the International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS), a worldwide network of food composition experts aiming to improve the quality, availability, reliability and use of food composition data. The IFDC is a gathering for the scientific and technical community focused on the production, management and utilization of food composition data. 

The meeting brought together approximately 180 delegates from more than 40 countries, including students, food scientists and researchers from the public sector, universities, research and development organizations, scientific associations, industry and international agencies.

For the first time, the conference was webcast, allowing a global audience to watch the sessions live, regardless of location – with over 700 live viewers on day 1, demonstrating the demand for broad access to technical discussions in this field.

The final agenda and book of abstracts is available here to download.

Recordings of the oral presentation sessions from the 14th IFDC are now available and can be accessed via the FAO-Webcast webpage. Direct links are provided below:

• Day 1 ─ Monday, 1 September 2025: webcast recording 1

• Day 2 ─ Tuesday, 2 September 2025: webcast recording 2

• Day 3 ─ Wednesday, 3 September 2025: webcast recording 3

The main theme of the 14th IFDC was: Food composition databases – application for healthy diets and sustainable agrifood system transformation.

The scientific programme featured almost 50 oral presentations across ten sessions covering diverse sub-topics, from analytical methods and database innovations to applications in public health and biodiversity. These sessions were marked by active and insightful discussions between presenters and the floor, highlighting the collaborative spirit and depth of expertise among participants.

Complementing these, almost 100 digital posters were presented in four poster sessions, providing a platform for participants to showcase new findings and strengthen collaborations. 

Three keynote presentations helped set the tone for the conference:

• Fernanda Grande (FAO, Italy) provided a global overview of the current state of food composition tables and databases (FCDBs), highlighting gaps and opportunities to improve existing FCDBs.

• Kunchit Judprasong (Mahidol University, Thailand) outlined the development of a novel Asian FCDB, based on new analytical data generated in a collaborative effort among 12 countries to preserve food culture and biodiversity.

• Thingnganing Longvag (vice-coordinator of INFOODS, Indigenous Peoples' Food System, India) focused on the role of Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems, showcasing the wide variety of cultivated, foraged, and neglected and underutilized foods that support healthy diets.

The outstanding contributions of two distinguished experts in the field of food composition was recognized during the 14th IFDC.

Paul Finglas (regional INFOODS coordinator for Europe, EuroFIR AISBL, Belgium/Quadram Institute Bioscience, UK) received the INFOODS Nevin Scrimshaw Awards, which honors a scientist for career-long global contributions to food composition, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Kunchit Judprasong (regional INFOODS coordinator for Asia, Mahidol University, Thailand) was awarded the INFOODS Greenfield-Southgate Lecture Award, recognizing a researcher with a strong publication record and innovative work in food composition research and application.

During the closing ceremony, the conference also honored ten INFOODS Success Story Awards, recognizing significant achievements of individuals or groups in advancing food composition activities. 

The poster presentation titled "The 4th Edition of the South African Food Quantities Manual: An updated informed by collaborative data collection" — authored by Malory Jumat, Joelaine Chetty and Averalda van Graan — was selected for the IFDC Best Poster Award reflecting the high quality and relevance of the work, which was greatly appreciated by the IFDC poster evaluators.

The Conference Scientific Committee was comprised of international experts in food composition. Click here for more information.

The Conference Organizing Committee was comprised of international experts in nutrition and food composition, communication and events management. Click here for more information.

All presenting authors are invited to submit their presentations in the form of a manuscript for consideration by the Journal. 

The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2025. Please refer to the call for papers for more information.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153, Rome, Italy

For any queries concerning the 14th IFDC please contact the Organizing Committee at [email protected].