FSANZ vs USDA: Choosing the Right Database
Understand the difference between the FSANZ/AUSNUT and USDA FoodData Central databases, and know when to use each one.
Two Databases, Two Purposes
Batchbase gives you access to two peer-reviewed food composition databases: FSANZ/AUSNUT and USDA FoodData Central. Both contain reliable nutritional data, but they were built for different food supplies and regulatory contexts.
Understanding the difference helps you choose the right starting point for each ingredient — and avoid the errors that come from mixing up their conventions.
FSANZ/AUSNUT — The Australian Standard
The AUSNUT database is published by Food Standards Australia New Zealand and contains around 5,700 foods commonly consumed in Australia and New Zealand. Nutrient values are expressed per 100g edible portion and reflect ingredients as they appear in the Australian food supply.
FSANZ/AUSNUT is the reference database recognised under FSANZ Standard 1.2.8 for calculating nutrition information panels on Australian food labels. Use it as your primary source for any product sold in Australia or New Zealand.
USDA FoodData Central — The Global Reference
The USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy dataset is maintained by the US Department of Agriculture and covers more than 7,700 foods. It includes a wide range of globally-traded commodities, US-produced ingredients, and specialty foods not commonly found in the Australian diet.
Nutrient values in the USDA dataset are expressed per 100g and come from USDA laboratory analysis. Use USDA data when an ingredient has no FSANZ equivalent, or when manufacturing for export to the US market.
Allergen Declaration Differences
The mandatory allergen lists differ between jurisdictions, and this matters when you import USDA data for Australian products.
Australia/NZ (FSANZ Standard 1.2.3): Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, sesame seeds, fish, shellfish (crustacea and molluscs), wheat and other gluten-containing cereals, soy, and lupin.
USA (FALCPA + FASTER Act): Substantially similar, but uses different grouping conventions and does not include lupin.
The USDA database does not carry allergen flags the way FSANZ does. When using USDA-sourced data for an Australian spec sheet, you must set allergen flags manually on the raw material record in Batchbase.
Which Database Should I Use?
Follow this decision order:
- Is the ingredient commonly consumed in Australia or NZ? → Search FSANZ first.
- No FSANZ match? → Try USDA as a reference fallback.
- Do you have a verified supplier specification or COA? → Enter those values manually — they override both databases.
For regulatory compliance on Australian labels, FSANZ-sourced data is always preferred. USDA data is a research and reference tool, particularly useful during product development before supplier specs are available.