About FoodSwitch
Q. What is FoodSwitch
A. FoodSwitch is a smartphone app that allows you to scan the barcodes of packaged foods at the supermarket or at home, using the camera on your phone. FoodSwitch then presents you with immediate, easy-to-understand information about that product's nutritional make-up. Using a colour-coded system (red, amber and green), it's easy to see whether a food is less healthy, okay or a healthier option based on its total fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt content. You can also see a list of similar foods that are healthier choices.
Q. Why have The George Institute and Bupa introduced FoodSwitch?
A. The George Institute for Global Health and Bupa have joined forces to develop FoodSwitch as part of the Healthy Foods Initiative. We want to help people live longer, healthier, happier lives by making healthier food choices. Current food labels can often be difficult to read and understand. FoodSwitch can help Australians by:
- providing easy-to-understand nutritional information about packaged foods
- providing information on healthier choices.
Q. How is FoodSwitch different to other apps?
A. FoodSwitch is the first-of-its-kind Australian app that allows you to:
- scan the barcode of a product to learn how healthy it is
- switch to healthier food choices
- share information about healthier food choices with your friends.
Q. How is FoodSwitch different to other 'traffic light' food apps?
A. FoodSwitch is quick and easy to use. It scans barcodes so you don't need to manually enter the product details into your phone. It also gives you a list of similar foods that are healthier choices.
Q. Is FoodSwitch available to anyone or just to Bupa members?
A. FoodSwitch is available to everyone and it's free too!
How FoodSwitch works
Q. What do the colour ratings mean?
A. FoodSwitch is powered by a database of more than 28,000 packaged food products in Australia. Each product has been rated for 4 food components (total fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt).
- Red – indicates a less healthy choice; fine for an occasional treat, but think about how often you choose it and how much of it you eat.
- Amber – this choice is OK, but going for choices labelled green is even better.
- Green – a healthier choice compared with other foods in the same category.
The ratings for red, amber and green for each nutrient are based on established standards for front-of-pack traffic light labelling. For more information, see the Front of Pack Traffic Light Signpost Labelling Technical Guide from the UK Food Standards Agency.
Q. How are healthier choices identified?
A. FoodSwitch calculates healthier choices by comparing the overall nutritional value of foods based on Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) nutrient profiling criteria for health claims. As well as sugars, fats and salt, which are key components associated with chronic disease, the overall rating takes into account additional nutritional components such as fibre, calcium and protein. This means the healthier choices shown not only have an equal or lower amount of salt, sugars and fats but are also healthier overall.
Q. Where does the nutritional information come from?
A. The George Institute for Global Health has developed the database of nutritional information over the last 3 years, by collecting information from the nutrition panels of packaged foods in Australia.
Q. Why does the app not include information about gluten / colours / preservatives / additives / GI?
A. At this stage FoodSwitch does not include information on colours, preservatives, additives, gluten, glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) as the information that powers the app has been taken directly from product nutrition information panels. However we do collect information related to front of pack labelling (such as the GI symbol and % daily intake (%DI)) and we hope to eventually incorporate elements such as these in future versions of the app.
Q. Why is there a difference between the amount of salt displayed in FoodSwitch and the amount of sodium on the nutritional information panel of the packaging of a product?
A. FoodSwitch displays the traffic light and values for salt, while the nutrition information panel of products lists sodium. The difference is that salt is made up of sodium and chloride. To get the salt content of a product, you need to multiply the amount of sodium by 2.5. FoodSwitch has already done the calculation for you.
Q. Are all the products in my local grocery store in the database?
A. The database that powers FoodSwitch contains more than 28,000 packaged products. About 90 percent of the items you scan from most major grocery stores in Australia will be in the FoodSwitch database. But there are always new products coming on the market and there will be some products that are only available in certain locations so they may not be in the FoodSwitch database yet.
If you come across an item that's not in the database, you'll be invited to help us by taking two photos – one of the front of the product and one of the nutrition information panel. The app will then automatically email these pictures to us so the item can be validated and added to the database.
Q. What if the product I scan isn't in the database?
A. Food manufacturers are continuously adding new product ranges to supermarket shelves. If you scan a product that isn't in the database, you'll be invited to help us by taking two photos – one of the front of the product and one of the nutrition information panel. The app will then automatically email these pictures to us so the item can be validated and added to the database.
Q. How can we be sure FoodSwitch information is correct?
A. The database that powers FoodSwitch is updated regularly by The George Institute's team of researchers along with the help of users like you. You'll receive alerts from time to time when a new version of the app becomes available.
Q. How do I create and delete lists? How can I add and remove healthier choices to lists?
A. When a healthier option is displayed, tap on the product details to expand the information area. This will display the product’s nutritional values. To the right, a '+' symbol should appear. Tap on the "+" symbol and it will take you to the Lists page. You will then have the option of adding it to a current list by simply tapping on that list; or you can enter the name of a new list, tap on it and the item selected will be automatically added to that list.
If you’re using an iPhone1 or iPad 21, to remove an item from a list simply tap the ‘edit’ button in the top left hand corner of the screen. A red circle will appear to the left of each product on the list. Tap on the circle next to the product you wish to remove and a red ‘Delete’ button will appear on the right. To remove a list, go to the Lists page and tap the 'edit' button in the top left hand corner of the screen. A red circle will appear to the left of each list. Tap on the red circle next to the list you wish to delete and a red ‘Delete’ button will appear on the right to enable you to delete the list.
If you’re using an Android2 device, to delete an item on a list, tap and hold on an item. A check box will appear to the left of each item on the list. Tap on the item you wish to edit to highlight the check mark. You can then delete the item by tapping on the bin button in the top left hand corner of the screen. To delete a list go to the Lists tab and tap and hold an existing list title. A check box will appear to the left of each list. Tap on the list you wish to edit to highlight the check mark. You can delete the list by tapping on the bin button in the top left hand corner of the screen.
About the Healthy Foods Initiative
Q. Why have The George Institute and Bupa partnered to develop FoodSwitch?
A. FoodSwitch is part of the broader Healthy Foods Initiative, a partnership between The George Institute for Global Health and Bupa. Our aim is to help Australians make healthier food choices. The Healthy Food Initiative can help people make better informed health choices by empowering them with access to information and innovative tools. FoodSwitch is our first step toward helping Australians make healthier food choices – starting in the supermarket aisle! Keep an eye out for more things to come in 2012.
Q. Is choosing healthy food really a problem in Australia?
A. Most Australians are lucky enough to have access to many nutritious foods. However, many everyday packaged foods can be high in salt, fat (including saturated fat) and sugar. They can also be high in energy (kilojoules) thanks to increasingly large portion sizes. All of these factors can contribute to health problems such as obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes and high blood cholesterol and fats. In turn, these can lead to an increase in the incidence of heart attacks, strokes and cancers each year. Making even small changes to our diets, such as consuming a little less salt and sugar, and eating less fat (particularly saturated fat) and energy (kilojoules) could prevent many of these health problems.
Currently, nutritional information in Australia is restricted to a nutrition information panel (NIP) on packaging. This can be difficult to find, difficult to read and difficult to interpret. This means it's often hard for consumers to be informed and make healthier food choices.
Q. Why front-of-pack (FoP) labelling?
A. In Australia, compulsory food composition labelling only needs to include a nutrition information panel (NIP). Often, this is printed on the back of the product in very small lettering. Studies show that the NIP only influences the food purchases of a small minority of people who are very motivated and very well informed about how to make healthier food choices. Many studies show that front-of-pack (FoP) labelling systems can help consumers interpret the information and make healthier food choices.
Q. Why traffic light labelling?
A. Research shows some people find traffic light or other colour-coded front-of-pack food labelling systems easier to understand than other systems. The traffic light labelling system provides nutritional information in an easy- to-understand interpretive way based on 100g of a product. This helps consumers compare products directly and organisations such as Choice have supported traffic light-style labelling systems as a result. By highlighting healthier options, FoodSwitch makes it even easier to make healthier and fully informed food choices at the supermarket.
Q. What do other organisations think of FoP labelling/FoodSwitch?
A. The George Institute has been working closely with the food industry on reformulation of foods to improve the health and quality of products. The food industry has highlighted how important it is to increase consumer demand for healthier food products. By providing easy-to-interpret and understand information on the nutritional content of foods, FoodSwitch will help to boost consumer demand for a more nutritious food supply and provide the charge that the food industry needs to change.
FoodSwitch has the support of a wide range of public health organisations including the National Heart Foundation of Australia, Choice and the Obesity Policy Coalition.
Technical questions
Q. How do I access the app?
A. For iPhone/iPad¹ users, you can download FoodSwitch from the Apple iTunes¹ store or via the App Store¹ on your device.
For Android2 users, you can download FoodSwitch from Google Play online or via your device.
The app is free of charge. An internet connection (3G or Wi-Fi) is required to download the app and to share information by social media and email. Standard usage charges may apply - check with your internet and mobile service providers for more information.
Q. What devices does FoodSwitch work on?
A. The app is available for iPhone¹ and Android2.
FoodSwitch works on Apple iPhone¹ 3GS, iPhone¹ 4, iPhone¹ 4S, or iPad¹ 2 or Android2 devices running versions 2.1, 2.2, 2.3.x, or 4.0.x
If you’re using a smartphone or tablet without a camera capable of auto-focus, FoodSwitch may not be compatible with this device. Without auto-focus, the pictures of the barcode will be blurry and FoodSwitch will be unable to identify the barcode.
FoodSwitch cannot be used on iPad original as it does not have a camera.
Q. What if I don't have a smartphone?
A. Bupa and The George Institute are working on solutions to give more people access to FoodSwitch technology. Please email us if you’d like to receive notification about FoodSwitch developments in the future.
Q. Is the app free? Will future updates also be free?
A. The app is free of charge and available to everyone. Any updates to FoodSwitch are free.
Q. Why isn’t the app scanning the barcode?
A. If you’re having trouble scanning with a compatible device, here are some tips that may help you scan more easily:
- Shake your phone to force the camera to auto-focus
- Try using in different light to avoid glare and shadows
- Check the autofocus capability of the camera. Try tapping on the screen at far and near objects to see if the focus changes
- Some users have also found it helpful to hold the object further away from the camera and make sure it doesn't fill the whole screen so that the autofocus can find the barcode.
If you’re using a smartphone or tablet without a camera capable of auto-focus, FoodSwitch may not be compatible with this device. Without auto-focus, the pictures of the barcode will be blurry and FoodSwitch will be unable to identify the barcode.
Q. Why can't I access Twitter?
A. Make sure your Wi-Fi or internet connection is working. You need a working Twitter account before you can log on and post a message.
Q. Why can't I access Facebook?
A. Make sure your Wi-Fi or internet connection is working. You need a working Facebook account before you can log on and post a message.
Q. Can I use the app outside Australia?
A. Currently, FoodSwitch can only be used in Australia.
Q. Are there any other apps from Bupa or The George Institute?
A. Bupa offers a variety of apps to promote a healthy, happy life. Simply search for 'bupa' in the Apple iTunes¹ store, in Google Play, or visit our Apps section.
Q. Where can I find more nutrition information?
A. You can email The George Institute or get more Bupa information on healthy living including diet and nutrition, as well as health conditions and treatments, by visiting our Health and Wellness section.
Q. Who do I contact if I have a question that hasn't been answered here?
A. You can email us your feedback or questions.
¹ iPhone, iPod touch, iTunes and App Store are a trademark of Apple Inc.
1iPhone, iPad, iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the US and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. 2Android and Google Play are a trademark of Google Inc.
