How to Access the 2003 Nutrition Database

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) maintains an online database known as USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. This database is updated on an annual basis. While Release 16 was technically made available to the public in January 2004, it was compiled in 2003. Although Release 16 has been revised seven times since 2003, it is still available for download from the USDA's website. For individuals or organizations that maintain their own databases and already have Release 15, an update version of Release 16 is also available on the USDA's website. The original documentation can also be viewed on the site. For the current version of the database, follow the "USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference" link in the Resources section.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

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Instructions

Download Release 16

• 1

  Click on the "USDA Nutrient Database: SR16 Download" link in the References section.

• 2

  Choose a version to download. Full versions are available for Access and ASCII. Abbreviated versions are available for Excel and ASCII. Click the link for your preferred version.

• 3

  Select "Save File." Click "OK." The Download dialog box will open.

• 4

  Double-click the downloaded zip file. The folder contains the database and Release 16 documentation.

• 5

  Double-click the desired file to view.

Download Update for an Existing Database

• 6

  Click on the "USDA Nutrient Database: SR16 Download" link in the References section.

• 7

  Scroll down to the "Update Files" subheading located at the bottom of the page.

• 8

  Click the "ASCII (1,725 Kb)" link under the subheading.

• 9

  Choose "Save File." Click "OK." The Download box will open.

• 10

  Double-click the downloaded zip file. The folder contains the update information as well as the original Release16 documentation.