National nutrition information systems: technical note: nutrition data value chain

Overview

This series of technical notes is produced on different topics of a national nutrition information system (NNIS) that are included in the first-ever global guidance on NNIS published in 2021. While the fundamental modules of the guidance describe the basics of a NNIS, each technical note deals with a specific topical area and presents details on those topics. The technical notes will help design and implement a NNIS and/or integrate a nutrition information system in the existing health management information system. 

This technical note describes how a national nutrition information system essentially functions as a nutrition data value chain. A value chain is a systematic way of identifying the different activities performed by an organization, how they interact and their value to the organization’s products that collects and analyses nutrition-related data to support informed, evidence-based decision-making.