A database interface standard incorporating the food description language LANGUAL is under development to allow international exchange of food composition, food consumption, and other food‐related data. The first step in this project is the refinement and implementation of a schema for the interface standard. This schema includes descriptive terms for LANGUAL factors and other aspects of foods. The second step is the development of a repertoire of personal computer programs for retrieval of food data, using the standard interface. The third step calls for the dissemination of the results of this project to an international audience through demonstration projects for international symposia and pilot tests for scientific applications.