For the first time, consumers can easily access additive, allergen and ingredient properties of any food product in-store with a simple iPhone application from FoodEssentials.
Consumers can use the FoodEssentials Scanner, now available in the app store, to scan barcodes of products in-store to view detailed food labels, highlighting any additive, allergen, nutrient or ingredient properties. The application also allows users to customize the view to focus on particular ingredients, and to scan multiple items to compare them side-by-side.
While food labeling is coming under increased scrutiny – including Michelle Obama’s push to improve food labeling and the FDA’s Health and Diet Survey showing a 10% increase in consumers who read food labels – reading and comparing labels remains a confusing exercise for most consumers.
¨We’ve been working to solve the food label problem for some time now,” said Anton Xavier, CEO of FoodEssentials, who co-founded the Chicago, Illinois based company in 2008. ¨And we believe the mobile platform is the perfect delivery device as it can address the problem right at the point where it is experienced – in-store.”
The FoodEssentials Food Label Database is at the core of the application, and a partnership with Beaver Creek Consulting to build the application ¨allowed us to focus on our core competence – the data – while leveraging Beaver Creek’s application development expertise to deliver the application,” said Dheeraj Patri, co-founder and COO.
The application is in its first release, with plans underway to expand to other mobile platforms and expand functionality to further cater to consumer’s specific dietary needs. “This as a premium tool for those that really care about what’s in their food,” said Mr. Xavier.
