Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel 4.0: Nutrient database now publicly available

The Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel (BLS), Germany's most comprehensive nutritional database, is now available free of charge in version 4.0. The previous license fees are completely waived for the database provided by the Max Rubner Institute (MRI), which contains detailed information on the ingredients and energy content of currently 7,140 foods and dishes.

Foods such as plant-based drinks or quinoa and buckwheat have also been added to the revised version. In total, BLS 4.0 lists up to 138 different nutrients per food item, including new vitamin forms. In addition to laboratory analyses by the MRI, data from national cooperation partners, the food industry, and scientific literature were used for the update. The BLS is used, among other things, for the evaluation of nutritional studies, as a basis for nutritional counseling, and by food manufacturers for calculating mandatory nutritional labeling.

Contribution to Open Science and Open Data

In response to a request from heise online, a spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMLEH) explained the background to the decision. According to the spokesperson, free access should enable "all interested parties – from consumers to science and authorities – to use the BLS nutrient data without restriction." "The BLS benefits from this, as its open access facilitates exchange with the public and experts, is significantly less bureaucratic, and ensures quality in the long term."

The ministry sees the measure as an important contribution to the "further development of open science, which strives for more transparency, better opportunities for knowledge exchange, and more effective quality assurance." It follows the basic principle of open administrative action in line with legal regulations such as the E-Government Act, "according to which state, non-personal data are made freely and without restriction available to everyone for use, distribution, and reuse to promote transparency, innovation, and efficiency."

"Food made completely transparent"

"The range of high-quality food in Germany is huge, thanks to the excellent work of our farmers, food manufacturers, and retailers. Consumers can choose from this as they please – as the federal government, we don't set any guidelines. However, we support making informed decisions for a balanced and preferably regional diet. Free access to the Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel helps with this," says Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Alois Rainer (CSU).

MRI President Tanja Schwerdtle also welcomes the step: "License-free access to the Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel now also offers the general public the opportunity to inform themselves about the composition of individual foods. Those who know what is in food can eat more consciously. This can support a balanced and healthy diet."

(mack)