Tag: International standards

IDDSI, or the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative, was developed following a global survey that found over 50 different names for food textures and nearly 30 for liquid thickness across various countries. An IDDSI level is a component of this standardized framework designed to improve safety for people with swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia. By providing a common, clear language, IDDSI minimizes confusion and risk in patient care.

According to the 2022 Global Food Security Index (GFSI), Finland, Ireland, and Norway ranked among the top performers in the 'Quality and Safety' sub-category, highlighting the robust systems in place to determine what countries are ranked by food quality and safety. These rankings are based on comprehensive assessments of nutritional standards, food recalls, and the presence of safety programs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a single standard drink in the United States contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. However, this measure can be surprisingly confusing, as the volume of liquid required to constitute one standard drink changes based on the beverage's alcohol concentration. This article will demystify how much is a single drink measure across different types of alcohol and international standards.

Over 70% of countries use the metric system for most measurements, and this extends to food energy, meaning not all countries use calories. The calorie is often used interchangeably with kilocalorie in North America, while the majority of the world uses the kilojoule (kJ), the standard international unit for energy.

An overwhelming majority of the world's nations, approximately 192 out of 195, use Celsius as their primary unit for measuring temperature. This widespread adoption is a direct result of its integration into the metric system, which is the international standard for most scientific and commercial applications.

According to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), a global standard for microbial omega-3 oils is under development by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. These efforts aim to provide a comprehensive framework that addresses quality, safety, and transparency, essential for building consumer trust in the growing algal oil market.

The standard pour for a single shot of vodka in the United States is 1.5 fluid ounces, equivalent to 44 milliliters. However, this measurement is not universal and can vary significantly depending on the country or even the bar you visit. This variability highlights the importance of understanding standard and non-standard pours, especially for home mixologists and travelers.

While there is no federally-mandated shot size in the U.S., a standard shot is most commonly measured as 1.5 ounces, or approximately 44 milliliters. This measurement helps ensure consistency in cocktails and responsible pouring, but it's important to know that the amount can vary between bars and different countries.

Over 190 countries have adopted the International System of Units (SI), which is why many nations use kilojoules (kJ) for nutritional labeling instead of kilocalories (kcal). This difference often depends on a country's historical and regulatory standards for energy measurement.

According to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), a global framework used in over 128 countries, liquid consistency is categorized into five distinct levels, from Level 0 (Thin) to Level 4 (Extremely Thick). The correct consistency of liquid in the IDDSI framework is crucial for patient safety, helping to prevent life-threatening complications like aspiration pneumonia.