Scan a barcode or paste an ingredient list. I'll flag harmful additives, artificial colors, and preservatives - and show you the Nutri-Score and processing level.
Scanning ingredients against additive database...
Something went wrong. Please try again.
Here's what the scores and risk levels mean so you can make informed choices at the grocery store.
A European nutritional rating system that grades foods from A (best) to E (worst). It weighs positive nutrients (fiber, protein, fruits, vegetables) against negative ones (calories, sugar, saturated fat, sodium). An A or B means the product has a good overall nutritional profile. D or E means it's high in sugar, fat, or salt relative to any nutritional benefit.
A food classification system developed by researchers at the University of Sao Paulo. Group 1 means unprocessed or minimally processed (fresh fruits, eggs, plain rice). Group 2 covers processed culinary ingredients (olive oil, butter, salt). Group 3 is processed foods (canned vegetables, cheese, bread). Group 4 is ultra-processed food products - industrial formulations with additives you wouldn't find in a home kitchen. Multiple studies link Group 4 foods to obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
High risk: Additives linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, or serious health effects in human or animal studies. These are the ones to avoid, especially for children. Many are banned in the EU but still legal in the US.
Moderate risk: Additives with some evidence of health concerns, or that may cause issues in sensitive individuals. Worth limiting, especially in children's diets.
Low risk: Additives that are generally recognized as safe but may be highly processed or have minor concerns at high doses. No need to panic, but whole food alternatives are always better.
The additive database is compiled from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the US FDA, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Barcode product data comes from Open Food Facts, an open-source global food database. Nutri-Score and NOVA classifications are provided by Open Food Facts based on product nutrition information.
Ultra-processed foods (NOVA Group 4) are industrial formulations made mostly from substances derived from foods and additives. They typically contain ingredients you would never use in a home kitchen - things like high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, protein isolates, and artificial colors. Examples include soft drinks, packaged snacks, instant noodles, and reconstituted meat products. A 2024 review of 45 studies found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with 32 adverse health outcomes including heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
The evidence is strong enough that the EU requires warning labels on foods containing synthetic dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, stating they "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." California passed a law in 2023 banning Red 3 from foods sold in the state (effective 2027). A 2021 report from the California EPA found that synthetic food dyes can cause hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children at current levels of exposure. The FDA is currently reviewing Red 3 and other dyes.
Yes. The barcode scanner uses your phone's camera directly in the browser - nothing is installed and no images are stored. The barcode number is sent to Open Food Facts (an open-source, non-profit food database) to look up the product. No personal information is collected or transmitted. All processing happens on your device.