FORMDAT - Formula Information Management System

General information

FORMDAT is a computer software system that manages the large volume of information required to produce product labels. Supplied with the Canadian Nutrient File it provides nutrient and content information for formulas.

FORMDAT consists of two linked databases, a formula (finished goods) database and an ingredient (raw materials) database.

FORMDAT contains and is integrated with CANDAT. This integration allows you to use formula information in food listings and in recipe preparations. It also allows the production of many food based reports. See the CANDAT page for more information on Candat capabilities.

FORMDAT contains a report generator which allows you to create custom reports showing both content and nutrient information. Cross-referencing of formula and raw material information allows efficient reporting on the content of formulas. You can also print complete reports on where ingredients are used.

Features and benefits

FORMDAT has a two database environment, one for formulas and one for ingredients (raw materials). Both databases have the same structure, formulas have ingredients and ingredients can contain other ingredients; formulas can act as ingredients of other formulas. Having the same structure allows consistent input of information and consistent interpretation of reports.

Nutrient Reporting

You can generate nutrient label information for each formula using the FORMDAT report generator. This report generator allows you to define your own layout, including calculations based on nutrient values. This allows complete flexibility in the declaration of nutrients and allows you to apply a consistent reporting policy.

You can link nutrient information to a formula in three ways:

You can enter values directly into the formula, ie. results from lab analyses;
you can calculate values from the nutrient data stored in the formula's ingredients;
you can retrieve values from a cross- reference link to a food from the Canadian Nutrient file.

This linking process allows you to maintain the most up to date nutrient information. You can also document the "source of information" within the formula for complete information control.

FORMDAT provides a link to CANDAT which means access to the Canadian Nutrient file with its nearly 4000 foods with about 60 nutrient values per food. This file is a valuable reference for nutrient information about Canadian foods. It is also a valuable reference for nutrient information about foods from elsewhere as the data originates from the U.S.D.A. handbook 8 series.

You can convert nutrient information from formulas and ingredients to food information within CANDAT for use in food profile reports or for use as ingredients of recipes.

You can produce a booklet of selected products which will list selected nutrients per 100g as sold, per 100g as consumed and per portion as consumed. You can distribute this report directly as a public relations document.

Content Reporting

You can print content label information for each formula under control of a set of "content reporting" rules which are controlled by you. Each rule is identified by a functionality code which is stored with each ingredient. These rules govern how an ingredient is declared, i.e. by itself with its own description; in combination with others and summed using a generic description such as "preservatives"; always declared if present at any level, etc. This allows you to be completely flexible in declaring your ingredients and allows you to apply a consistent reporting policy.

Information Management

FORMDAT automatically maintains cross-references between formulas and ingredients. You can produce cross-reference reports of formulas and ingredients which show the complete breakdown of formulas and ingredients, and the level at which they appear. Also, reports on where formulas or ingredients are used in other formulas or ingredients are also produced, including their percent contribution to the product. These reports become very useful when considering the impact of a change of product or supplier on finished goods.

FORMDAT shares with CANDAT various tables such as tables of RNI (Recommended Nutrient Intake) values, RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) values, default nutrient settings for updates, etc. Please refer to the CANDAT page for more details on these features.

Requirements

FORMDAT will operate on an IBM compatible computer (80386 or 80486 processor). FORMDAT itself requires about 10 megabytes of disk space (about 5 of which is the master food file) and will need 2 to 5 megabytes for raw material and formula files. Disk space will also be needed for food files and other user managed files. We recommend a minimum of 40 megabytes of disk space. FORMDAT requires a wide carriage printer (or landscape capabilities) for some of its reports. As some nutrient calculation printouts can be large, a fast printer with an internal buffer will be more productive. FORMDAT makes use of colour when a colour monitor is available.

GLI can provide the computer hardware along with FORMDAT if desired. The licence to use FORMDAT is usually accompanied by a yearly system support agreement. This agreement provides updates to FORMDAT and the food files as they become available and allows on-going telephone support.

Prices

Please e-mail or call for a quotation on FORMDAT prices.

Company information specific to FORMDAT

Godin London Incorporated (GLI) has been providing computer solutions to clients since 1979.

GLI is a partnership between Gaëtan Godin and Randy MacDonald.

Mr. Godin has been involved in nutrition research since 1970. With a master's degree in science (applied physiology, University of Toronto, 1972) and Ph.D. courses in epidemiology and statistics, he provides application knowledge for the research component of GLI.

Associated with many professionals in nutrition in the development of FORMDAT, GLI continues to cooperate with them and the users of FORMDAT to supply added capabilities.

GLI can provide nutritionist services to meet the consultative needs of clients when necessary.