How We Rate

Every scan runs through an AI-powered label reader that identifies the product, flags the nutrients that matter most, checks for allergens, and rates how processed the food is — all in a few seconds.

We use NOVA, an internationally recognized food classification system, to rate processing level from 1 (unprocessed or minimally processed) to 4 (ultra-processed). We didn't invent this scale — it's a widely used academic standard, and we apply it consistently to every product.

Every factual claim we make carries a source label. We rank sources in tiers: Tier 1 is government and major health authorities (FDA, USDA, CDC, NIH, WHO), Tier 2 is respected clinical institutions (Harvard Health, Mayo Clinic, the American Heart Association), Tier 3 is individual peer-reviewed studies, and Tier 4 is preliminary or contested evidence. You always know how strong the evidence behind a claim is.

We also cross-check scans against USDA FoodData Central, the FDA's food recall database, PubMed's medical research library, and the OpenFoodFacts community database. These appear as separate, clearly labeled citations — they add context, but they never override our core reading of your label.

We're deliberate about language. We won't tell you to "avoid" something or declare a product "healthier" without naming the specific factor and citing where that claim comes from. Our takeaways are framed as things worth considering, not commands.

This isn't a substitute for medical or professional dietary advice. For personal health decisions, talk to a doctor or registered dietitian.

Same standard we hold ourselves to: show our work, cite our sources, never dress up a guess as certainty.