However, you can quickly check whether a product is suitable for eating with food scanner apps. Here, we’ll discuss some of the best food scanner apps you should try out on your phone.
1. JollyGut
JollyGut is an excellent option for anyone with allergies or a specific diet. With this app, you can either use your camera to scan an item’s barcode or simply search for the item using the app’s extensive database of products. So, if you’re not comfortable giving the app permission to use your camera, the search option is always a solid alternative.
The JollyGut app can search local grocery stores in your area with your location, so it knows what kinds of foods will be available in your frequently visited stores. Then, in the profile section of the app, you can select which foods you’re allergic to or which dietary preferences you have.
Once you scan or search for an item, the app will give you a rundown on whether it contains any of your no-go foods and include a list of nutritional information. The app also rates foods from excellent to very bad depending on how healthy they are, which is great if you want to eat clean.
Download: JollyGut for Android | iOS (Free)
2. Yuka
Yuka allows you to scan any food product and determine whether it’s the right choice for you. All you have to do is hold an item’s barcode in front of your camera, and the app will identify it.
Yuka also keeps a log of all the foods you’ve scanned so you can quickly check back on a previous item if you need to. The app also recommends healthier alternatives to any unhealthy items you’ve scanned.
However, if you want to scan for specific allergens, you’ll need to upgrade to the app’s premium version. Fortunately, this is incredibly affordable. Yuka allows you to contribute your desired amount on an annual basis to help support the app, which then gives you premium access.
With the premium version, you can also search for items instead of just scanning them, and even use the app offline.
Download: Yuka for Android | iOS (Free, premium version available)
3. IsVe?
IsVe? is a super simple app for anyone on a vegan diet. As a vegan, checking almost every item you want for milk, eggs, or meat can get very tedious, and so it always helps to have a scanner app on hand.
IsVe? can scan the barcodes of food products and let you know if it’s vegan, vegetarian, or contains palm oil (an environmentally harmful product to source). And that’s just about all the app offers. While this may sound a little basic, IsVe? is great for simply finding out if an item is vegan, making it quick and easy to use!
Download: IsVe? for Android | iOS (Free)
4. Spoonful
The Spoonful app lets you scan and search for all kinds of food products so that you know what’s in them. When you install the app, you can select which ingredients or foods you want to avoid, and Spoonful will then highlight whether a selected item is safe to eat.
Additionally, Spoonful will list the ingredients within the item in question and highlight any other allergens it may contain. While the app’s search option is very convenient, you can only use it three times daily, which can be pretty limiting if you have many items to search for. On top of this, you can only scan five items daily if you wish to use Spoonful for free.
You can only increase this search and scan limit if you sign up for the app’s premium version. This costs around three dollars monthly and gives you unlimited scans and searches. This premium version also guarantees that if you request info on an un-logged item, you’ll get results back within two days.
Download: Spoonful for Android | iOS (Free, premium version available)
5. CodeCheck
CodeCheck is a one-stop shop for those who want to check any product they buy. This app not only lets you scan food products but also cleaning and beauty products. You can either search through the app’s vast database of different items or scan the barcode of a specific product using your camera.
After this, CodeCheck will then tell you if the product is gluten-free, vegan, lactose-free, or vegetarian, covering all the major dietary restrictions. Additionally, you’ll be able to see the nutritional value of the product, as well as other users’ comments or reviews on it. You can also save products to your favorites list for quick access at any time.
Lastly, CodeCheck has its own news section, where you can read about various topics, such as sustainable products, health foods, and dieting methods. The app also has a premium version that allows you to scan unlimited items and get rid of ads for just $2.99 per month.
Download: CodeCheck for Android | iOS (Free, premium version available)
6. Soosee
Unlike the other apps listed here, Soosee doesn’t give you dietary information based on an item’s barcode. Instead, it runs a quick scan of the product’s ingredient list and highlights any of your no-go foods. You can choose from a wide range of food groups to avoid or create your own group if you have something more specific in mind.
For example, if you’re avoiding gluten, the app will show an alert if it’s present and lists all the ingredients within the product containing gluten. This way, you can avoid your no-go food while also learning which foods contain risky ingredients.
Download: Soosee for Android | iOS (Free)
The Best Apps to Help You Avoid Certain Foods
With the apps above, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll never have to read through endless ingredient lists again. Whether you’re avoiding an allergen or are trying out a gluten-free or plant-based lifestyle, these apps can give you a helping hand and make things that much more convenient and straightforward.
