2/8/2005 (Telecomworldwire) - A new online database called "What's inthe Foods You Eat - Search Tool" has been unveiled by scientists from theUS Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

The ARS is the US Department of Agriculture's main scientific researchagency in the US and the searchable database was produced by the ARS FoodSurveys Research Group to list food types eaten in the US. The databaseuses the USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies, a technicaldatabase for nutrition researches. It is reported to incorporate a60-nutrient profile for over 13,000 foods, designed to help people makeinformed decisions about food choices, and search results can be printed.

The online search box allows the user to enter words relating to the foodthey wish to search for and this generates a list of food names containingthe key words. The user can then select to view nutrient information on upto three portion amounts for a food name. Free access to the database isavailable at http://www.ars.usda.gov/foodsearch.