Health app | By: The George Institute for Global Health

FoodSwitch app allows consumers to make better food choices by providing simple health and nutrition information on a scanned product and suggesting healthier alternatives to 'switch' to. The data that underpins the app is used for research and advocacy to influence government policy and industry practice toward improved food environments.

The Purpose of FoodSwitch is to bring transparency to the health and sustainability of the world’s food supply.

How FoodSwitch works

The FoodSwitch app works by using your mobile phone camera to scan the barcode of a packaged food. It then uses science-based algorithms to calculate and then display simple nutrition profiles of the food.

Scan

Scanning the barcode of a packaged food will find the data and calculations held in our database. This is presented as easy-to-understand nutrition information that can be viewed as either a Health Star Rating (HSR) or traffic-light coloured icons for key nutrients and energy.

Viewing mode

The 'Health Star Rating' scores a food between 0.5 stars (least healthy) to 5 stars (healthiest). In the Traffic Light viewing mode, colour-coded icons show the amount of adverse nutrients such as fat, salt and sugar. Green indicates a healthier choice with lower levels of these nutrients, amber has medium levels, with red indicating higher levels and is least healthy.

The FoodSwitch app is a free app and can be downloaded from FoodSwitch app - Apple App Store and FoodSwitch app - Google Play Store.

Download now:

_{NOTE: This app is provided by one of Healthdirect Australia's trusted information partners. Please consider if this app is appropriate for your own individual circumstances. There may be costs to use the app or it may be free. You may also be charged for data from your telecommunications provider. For 24-hour health advice call healthdirect - 1800 022 222 or if you need help now these emergency and crisis helplines can provide immediate support.}