Accurate food composition data is the backbone of nutrition labelling, dietary research, and public health policy in the UK. At the heart of this effort is McCance and Widdowson’s “The Composition of Foods”, the official and most authoritative source for nutrient values in UK foods. This article examines the history, significance, and practical applications of these tables, and how MenuSano uses them to ensure accurate, compliant nutrition analysis for food businesses.
Key Takeaways
- McCance and Widdowson’s tables are the UK’s official food composition reference, covering about 3,300 foods and drinks (Source).
- The dataset is updated every 2-4 years to reflect changes in the UK food supply (Source).
- UK food manufacturers rely on these tables for legal compliance, nutrition labelling, and recipe analysis.
- MenuSano integrates the latest McCance and Widdowson data for precise, regulation-ready nutrition labels.
What Are the McCance and Widdowson Food Composition Tables?
First published in 1940, McCance and Widdowson’s tables were created to provide a comprehensive and standardized source of nutrient values for foods commonly consumed in the UK. The tables are now consolidated into the Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset (CoFID), maintained by the UK government.
The current dataset covers around 3,300 foods and drinks, including:
- Fresh, processed, and prepared foods
- Branded and generic items
- Nutrient values for energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, sugars, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and more
Why Are They Important for UK Food Businesses?
- Legal requirement: UK food labelling laws (Food Information Regulations) require nutrition information to be based on recognized sources, with McCance and Widdowson’s dataset being the gold standard.
- Consistency: Standardized values ensure that nutrition labels are accurate and comparable across brands and products.
- Public trust: Citing an official, government-backed database builds consumer and regulatory confidence in your product claims.
How Is the Data Used in Nutrition Labelling?
Manufacturers, caterers, and nutrition professionals use McCance and Widdowson’s data to:
- Analyze recipes and menu items for nutrient content
- Calculate Reference Intakes (RIs) and Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs)
- Create compliant nutrition facts panels for packaged foods
- Support public health initiatives and dietary research
Example:
A ready meal manufacturer uses the dataset to determine the energy, fat, and salt content of a lasagna, ensuring the label complies with UK regulations and can be used for traffic light labelling.
How Often Is the Dataset Updated?
The dataset is reviewed and updated every 2–4 years to reflect new foods, reformulations, and changes in the UK diet (Source). The most recent update was published in 2021, with previous major updates in 2015 and 2019.
MenuSano’s Use of McCance and Widdowson Data
MenuSano’s nutrition analysis software integrates the latest McCance and Widdowson data, allowing food businesses to:
- Instantly calculate the full nutrient profile of any recipe or product
- Ensure all nutrition labels are based on the UK’s official standard
- Stay current with regulatory changes and new food trends
This integration means MenuSano users can trust their nutrition labels are accurate, up-to-date, and fully compliant with UK law.
The UK government, specifically Public Health England (now part of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities).
The full dataset is available for free download at the official CoFID page.
For UK compliance, McCance and Widdowson’s tables are the recommended and most widely accepted source.
