Food Composition Database(AUSNUT)
Definition
A reference database containing the nutritional composition of foods, used as the basis for calculating nutrition information panels. In Australia, the primary source is the FSANZ food composition database.
Key Takeaways
- •AUSNUT is the FSANZ-maintained food composition database used as the primary reference for Australian NIP calculations
- •Database values are averages across food samples and may not match your specific product — lab analysis is more accurate
- •Using AUSNUT is acceptable for NIP calculations where the product closely matches the reference food in formulation and processing
- •When making a nutrition content claim, the NIP values must be accurate enough to substantiate the claim — database estimates carry risk
- •FSANZ provides a free food composition tool at foodstandards.gov.au to assist with NIP calculations using AUSNUT data
Regulatory Source
- AUSNUT 2011–13— The Australian Food, Supplement and Nutrient Database published by FSANZ — the reference dataset for nutrition composition of Australian foods
Last verified against current standards: April 2026
Regulatory authority: Food Standards Australia New Zealand
What is AUSNUT?
AUSNUT (Australian Food, Supplement and Nutrient Database) is the official reference database of food composition data maintained by FSANZ. It lists the nutrient content (protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, etc.) for over 5,700 Australian foods and food products, compiled from food composition tables, laboratory analyses, and manufacturer-provided data.
AUSNUT is the foundation data source for calculating Nutrition Information Panels (NIPs) under Standard 1.2.8. When you produce a food from a recipe, the NIP nutrient values are derived from the composition of the ingredients — and AUSNUT is the authoritative source for those ingredient composition values in the Australian context.
How AUSNUT is Structured
AUSNUT records are organised by food category and include:
- Food name (e.g. "Milk, cow, full fat, fresh")
- Nutrient data (per 100g): protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre, sugars, sodium, key vitamins and minerals
- Moisture content (because nutrients are often expressed on a dry-matter basis)
- Source of the data (laboratory analysis, food composition reference, or manufacturer data)
Most foods in AUSNUT are raw or minimally processed. When you cook or process a food, the nutrient profile may change (water loss affects concentration; cooking may degrade some vitamins). Adjusting AUSNUT data for cooking losses requires either further laboratory testing or use of published cooking/processing factors.
AUSNUT in Practice for Australian Food Manufacturers
How do you use AUSNUT? When formulating a recipe in a food manufacturing context, you look up each ingredient in AUSNUT and record its nutrient profile (per gram of ingredient). You then multiply each ingredient's weight by its per-gram nutrient values to calculate the total nutrient content of your recipe.
Common scenarios:
- Standard ingredients: Whole milk (5g per 100g), wheat flour (10g protein per 100g), sugar (0g protein).
- Cooked ingredients: If you cook chicken breast (starting at 26g protein per 100g raw), you need to apply a cooking loss factor to account for water evaporation. AUSNUT provides some cooking-adjusted entries, but not all.
- Processed ingredients: If you use a supplier-provided sauce, spice blend, or prepared ingredient, its nutrient content may differ from AUSNUT raw material equivalents. Request the supplier's nutrient specification.
Worked example: A manufacturer produces a chicken and rice bake. Using AUSNUT: raw chicken breast = 26g protein per 100g (raw); raw white rice = 7g protein per 100g; salt = 0g protein. After cooking, water content changes, so the recipe is re-analysed by a food testing lab to get the actual final nutrient profile.
Where to Access AUSNUT
FSANZ publishes AUSNUT data freely online at foodstandards.gov.au. The database is available as a searchable online tool and also as downloadable spreadsheets. AUSNUT is updated regularly to reflect new foods and more accurate composition data.
How Batchbase Uses AUSNUT
Batchbase integrates AUSNUT data directly. When you add an ingredient to a recipe, you search the AUSNUT database within Batchbase, select the appropriate food entry, and its nutrient profile is automatically populated. This ensures your NIP calculations are based on the same authoritative source that food safety officers and auditors expect.
Related Standards and References
- FSANZ Standard 1.2.8 — Nutrition information requirements
- AUSNUT 2011–13 database — foodstandards.gov.au/science/monitoringnutrients/ausnut
- FSANZ food standards code
Related Terms
Energy (kJ)
The measure of energy content in food, expressed in kilojoules (kJ) in Australia. Calculated from the amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, and alcohol in a food product.
FSANZ
Food Standards Australia New Zealand — the regulatory body that develops and maintains the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code governing food labelling, safety, and composition.
Nutrition Information Panel
A mandatory table on packaged food labels in Australia displaying the average quantity of energy, protein, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugars, and sodium per serve and per 100g or 100mL.