Read Mumsnetters’ feedback on the new Change4Life food scanner app

[JustineBMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the MNers who have been testing the Change4Life food scanner app.

Here’s what PHE has to say: “Without realising it we’re all eating too much sugar, saturated fat and salt. The new and improved ‘Food Scanner’ app is here to help you and your family make healthier food and drink choices. Simply scan the barcode of your food and drink to reveal what’s inside.”

Testers, please answer the below questions.

1. Do you think the Food Scanner app helped you to make healthier food and drink choices?
2. What did you and your family enjoy about using the Food Scanner app?
3. Do you think that you will continue to use the Food Scanner app?
4. Can you tell us about a time - if any - you changed your purchase choice as a result of the app?
5. We’d love to hear about any features you think could further improve the Food Scanner app?

All testers who give their feedback will be sent a £5 Amazon voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

1. I tend to use the traffic light system, but that’s all really.
2. I think I know a bit about sugar content. I don’t use any jars for cooking, we rarely eat sweet things, I do try and limit sugar intake.
3. The app was really good. Loved the noises too. I did put some things back when I realised sugar content.
4. There’s more sugar than you think in some foods, and to use these foods in moderation
5. Nothing really shocked me. Surprised really!

1. I don’t really monitor our sugar intake, I just limit things unhealthy snacks.
2. I only really know about the content from looking at the packaging.
3. Yes, as it was good to visually see how much sugar was in the food/drinks.
4. It is easy to see the sugar content and adjust our diet accordingly.
5. Some things I thought would be low in sugar had quite high amounts and vice versa.

1. I usually tend to look at the nutritional information and traffic light infographics on packaging before buying and look for the carbohydrate/saturates information to get an idea of the sugar quantity in products.

1. I personally don’t know that much about sugar contents and tend to rely on DP’s knowledge as he plays a lot of sport and has a fairly healthy and balanced diet.

1. I do think it’s a good app and speeds up the process of finding out the nutritional info you may need, however I would prefer to look at the full ingredient list in a product as other additives can on occasions be worse in my opinion.

1. That it’s worth checking certain products such as tomato based sauces in jars (not something I often purchase but while shopping with DMIL I thought I’d check the sugar contents of some of her purchases to trial the app and I was quite bemused by the amount of sugar in some pasta sauces) that you may not think sugar would be in - and always buy fresh sauces where possible as a result!

1. That branded products often have more sugar than supermarket own brands!

I monitor the families sugar in take by choosing healthy options, although after using this app I need to re look at what I think are healthy options.

I don’t really understand sugar content, I understand added sugars but unsure of how natural occurring sugars go towards daily intake.

Change for life app is really good for prepackaged food like snacks and drinks, when cooking a meal such as spaghetti bolognaise with lots of different elements it’s still hard to work out sugar content.

I have learned that some packets of advertised health options contain more sugar than you would think suitable for ‘healthy choices’

As above, the amount of sugar in so called health options shocked me.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

I don't normally monitor my family's sugar intake (other than choosing low calorie items), however as I now have an 8 month old who is weaning I am a lot more aware of sugar content and want to find ways to monitor easier.

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

Not much.

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

Yes, when I remember to scan products.

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

I've also been learning about salt content and it's interesting to note how much sugar and salt are in some foods.

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?

Yes. The content of some foods which you think are reasonably healthy...

1. We don’t really monitor sugar intake as much as we probably should do. We don’t buy many sugary snacks like we used to, but will start checking the packaging of foods more often.
2. I have a general, vague idea, but I do imagine there’s more sugar in a lot of things than I actually realise.
3. I think it is good to visually see how much sugar is in the products we use daily.
4. I have learnt that some of the things that we see as healthy are not actually healthy in terms of sugar content.
5. As above. The sugar content in things that seem healthy.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

I generally have a rough idea which products contain lots of sugar so do actively minimise them. I also check labels / the traffic lights.

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

Quite a bit. I'm very passionate about healthy eating / Nutrition especially for children so am aware of what goes on food/ read up on it etc.

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

Yes I do, it's a great idea!

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

How much sugar & salt is in certain products that otherwise seem healthy. Ie pasta sauce. The main ingredients were tomatoes and it had mushrooms & onions in it so to most it would seem healthy & full of veg. However the amount of sugar & salt in it was very high!

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?

Yes - see above re the pasta sauce!! Also a cereal bar I had although low in salt & fat, it was high in sugar. Again something else I thought was healthy ish but maybe not as good for me as I thought!

I love this! Like I said I'm passionate about healthy eating for kids and Change for Life is doing a good job on a tricky, complex and sometimes sensitive issue.
Keep up the good work!!

I look at the nutritional content label and compare the amount of sugar per serving (or per 100g) of foods I buy. For instance yogurts or breakfast cereals.

The app has highlighted better choices to me although with the fussiness of one of my children the options are limited.

I know a little about sugar but get confused with things like dried fruit snacks, fruit juices and when fruit shoots say they are no added sugar and have 3 calories but are still bad?

I was shocked at how much sugar was in the newer fad type foods which come across as being healthy (graze pots, some cereal bars).

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

Usually by limiting or avoiding obviously unhealthy foods/ snacks.

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

I think I realise which prodycts contain more sugar but not always how much. I try to use the traffic lights on packaging.

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

Yes! It makes it so simple too, the dcs could scan food and see sugar cubes representing the sugar content which was a great but scary visual.

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

That the 'healthy options are not always healthy.

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?

Yes. Some if the 'good foods on our eyes contained more sugar or salt than I had imagined.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?
Just by trying to make sauces from scratch and not consuming too much sugar in form of sweets, cakes and biscuits. Limit sugary things to eat with meals, rather than as snacks in between meals.

2. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?
A bit, due to myself being diabetic. Also conscious that DS(10) and DD(15) need to watch what they eat sugar wise, as it is basically empty calories, and serve no purpose nutritionally.

3. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?
Definitely, as DS really enjoyed picking his typical lunch box contents and seeing if could get similar products with less sugar, such as cereal bars, processed fruit snacks and crisps and even baked beans!
The sugar cube representation was really educational to the kids.

4. What have you learned while testing the app?
Some things I thought would have been high were not as bad as I though. Most things we selected were in the database, so only minor issues with scanning.

5. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?
Savoury products that were loaded with sugar, and also the sugar in fruit smoothies.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?
I don't manage or monitor it religiously. I just try to look at the traffic light system on packaging and will try and get a healtheir alternative... when available
2. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?
I thought I was fairly clued up but I'm feeling I was a bit naive now
3. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?
Definitely, by equating it to how many sugar cubes I would be having for each portion, it puts things in perspective. It is clear simple and easy to use.
4. What have you learned while testing the app?
A lot of 'healthier' alternative snacks targeted at children are a lot worse than you'd think ...gulp
5. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?
The highest sugar I came across in a small portion was for a fruit snack that was targeted at young children. I honestly, would not have batted an eyelid at giving this 'healthy alternative' to my daughter until now...jeeeezzz

1. I don’t usually manage or monitor my families intake of sugar but I do make sure I buy healthier snacks for my two daughters as well as offering healthier choices. They do have treats such as chocolate/sweets but this is occasionally.
2. I would say I have an idea of the sugar content in some foods but not all. for example due to advertising and through my job role I have learnt children’s snacks such as raisins are full of sugar and also the baby biscuits you can buy. And I’m sure we are all aware of how much sugar is in Coca Cola by now.
3. Yes the change 4 life app has helped me to understand the sugar content in my foods. It was interesting to see the amount per pack and individual portion of not just sugar but the saturates etc. The traffic light system made it easy to see which foods were high in sugar and which were classed as ok to consume.
4. while testing the app I have learned that it is worth using and especially if out buying food to enable you to make healthier choices. I also learned that the amounts of sugar in some foods were very surprising and when in fact I thought I had chosen healthier choices for my children It ended up what I had chosen was very high in sugar.
5. Yes I was very shocked in how much sugar for example was in breakfast cereal such as shreddies which I purchase for my children as felt they would be a healthy breakfast as they are only whole grain but the amount of sugar really shocked me. Also exactly the same happened when I checked my granola. I was pleasantly surprised to check my two bottles of squash and to see a nice green code and that I had made a healthier choice which I didn’t expect from squash and although my children only occasionally drink this I will be happier giving it to them knowing this.

1. We don't really monitor it but try not to have too many sugary snacks.
2. I have a reasonable knowledge
3. It has shown some things have more sugar in than you'd expect
4. I've learned that some things seen as healthy have more sugar in than you'd think
5. Nothing really shocked me

1: don't monitor as such, just use portion control and common sense, i.e., not too much chocolate etc
2:

Poster too soon....
2: was quite aware, the little boxes on the labels of most foods helps
3: maybe made it slightly easier to understand
4:loads of sugar in stuff you wouldn't expect to see if in like ketchup
5: not really

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

Not really but I always try to keep a rough idea of what they've had and try to keep it to a minimum

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

I think I'm pretty good but also am conscious there are too many sugary snacks that just can't seem to be avoided

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

Yes in some ways- I like using it and it makes me think more about what we're eating as a family. It'd help if it could track your intake

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

How many snacks have more sugar than you realise

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?

Not really, I guess some perceived 'healthier' snacks just aren't

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

I don't really monitor it as much as I should, all I know that it is in generally in moderation, or at least I thought it was!

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

Not enough

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

Yes definitely

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

That sugar is bloody everywhere! I'm never going to manage to police it but can see where I can reduce it a bit.

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?

Just that sugar seems to be in everything, even 'healthy' choices.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

I read the labels and ingredients.

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

I am fairly knowledgeable, however I can be caught out sometime with some products.

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

Yes it has but more importantly has given my child a visual representation of the components of food.

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

Don't be fooled by marketing and you should always check the label.

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?

I bought a porridge product for myself and didn't realise it had sugar in as well as dried fruit.

We will be keeping the app and sharing it, as it is a great tool for my daughter to help her make choices.

We would like it if:
The database was extended as some products were not available, especially baby foods as my daughter shares a lot with her 9 month old brother.
Perhaps suggestions on alternative products to eat when a scanned product is high in sugar or fat.
A manual search function as some things were in multi pack so couldn't be scanned if separated.

Thank you for letting us use the app and provide feedback.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

Limit the number of sweets, dont give them lollipops, use no added sugar squash, do not add sugar to hot drinks.

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

A bit, sometimes get a shock when you check the label, especially if it is marketed at young children.

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

Yes.

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

Even what I would consider 'healthier' cereals like bran flakes have lots of sugar.

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?

The bran flakes, and the paw patrol fromage frais came out as a good snsck result, I assumed the sugar content would be too high.

Thanks.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

Yes, I do my best to monitor my families sugar / salt intake. As a veggie I am quite used to reading ingredients lists before making a purchase. I also use the traffic signals to make informed choices. Obvs, a lot of companies don't make it easy and it can be difficult to decipher nutritional info on labels.

I try to cook from scratch as much as possible.

That being said, I also avoid anything with sweetners too and the app wasn't great at picking any of those 'nasties' up.

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

I would say I was pretty clued up on the sugar / salt content in pre packaged food. I always assume most stuff is packed full of the stuff. It doesn't bother me too much to use such products every now & then as a cupboard stand by.

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

I would say it has confirmed what I already knew really. But it was a great tool for convincing the kids how unhealthy some products can be and gives them a visual idea of how much sugar is in some food. This was especially helpful when it came to snacks.

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

That there is too much sugar & salt in 'everyday' food items.

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?

Sadly, I didn't find it all that shocking.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

i dont monitor the intake but i am mindful of how much 'typically' sugary items everyone eats.

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally? i thought i was well informed but it appears not!

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods? most definitely! i was surprised how high sugar content is in a lot of foods where i wouldnt expect it

1. What have you learned while testing the app? to look at the sugar content of the items i wouldnt associate with sugar. the sugar is everywhere!

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you? yes, just how much sugar is in everything, even products marketed for children as healthy

1. We do a sort of light touch monitoring. Keep an eye on how much they've had but don't have a strict amount per day policy.

1. A bit, I'm not an expert though and should probably find out more.

1. Really sorry, but not much. I found the app really slow to use, and most of the products I've tried so far hadn't been loaded onto the system yet plus one came up with the wrong product. If you used this shopping your shopping would take about three times longer. On the few products that it's so far recognised it confirmed what I thought about their sugar levels which was helpful.

1. That it's difficult to use ;-) Not much so far but I will keep trying it.

1. I suppose quite how much sugar is in some things, you know it's there but it's not always easy to quantify.

For me the best part of the app was being able to say to my children that something has x number of sugar cubes in it. They're really surprised and I hope it will help us to lower their sugar intake.

Testers, please answer the below questions.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

Usually I cook everything for, scratch, so I know what the sugar content it. We eat fresh fruit, rather than juiced, and I try to make sure anything sugary is given with a meal.

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

Quite a lot.

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

Possibly my children's, as the green colour was easy for them to understand. But I dislike the concept of bad food, we call it treat food.

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

That children are very open to making swaps.

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you

The amount of added sugar in foods marketed for children. Thinking frozen themed biscuits, over plain ones.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

I use the traffic light system on the boxes

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

I think I'm reasonably savvy about it

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

It didn't make much difference to me - I thought it would help evaluate products for my baby but it's basically the same information. Also lots of the foods I scanned weren't on there.

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

Not much really.

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?

Not really.

1. If you usually manage or monitor your family’s intake of sugar, how do you do this?

Yes , or I like to think that I do . I tend to look at the chart at the front .

1. How much would you say that you know about the sugar content in foods generally?

I always look at the charts and get the lowest in salt and sugar stuff.

1. Do you think the Change4Life app has helped you to understand the sugar content in your foods?

It’s a really good app and loved that I can check the products so easily.

1. What have you learned while testing the app?

Almost everything has more sugar than what I thought.

1. When testing the app, was there anything that shocked you?

How much sugar is in everything , even on the things that you would never think of.