Core metadata: The PTFI approach. Technical Note

This technical note describes the core metadata framework developed by the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) to standardize how information about food samples is documented and shared. The framework defines a structured set of metadata elements that capture key information about food collection, specimen characteristics, sample processing, and data identifiers. By aligning with international standards and ontologies and following FAIR data principles, the PTFI approach aims to improve the transparency, interoperability, and reusability of food composition data, supporting more effective research and collaboration across nutrition, agriculture, and food systems science.