BannedPantry: Food Scanner
Banned dye & additive checker
About
Scan barcodes to identify ingredients banned in other countries but sold in the US. Get safer swap suggestions and pregnancy-specific alerts. Track your family's pantry for potentially harmful items.
What's New in BannedPantry
1.1
September 15, 2026
- Ask-for-feedback card on safe scans - Faster Pro status updates after purchase - Bug fixes and performance improvements
MoreSubscriptions & In-App Purchases
Pro Monthly
Unlimited scans, family profiles, reflag alerts.
FAQ
What ingredients does BannedPantry check for?
BannedPantry checks for over 170 ingredients banned overseas, including Red 40, Yellow 5, BVO, BHA, BHT, potassium bromate, and titanium dioxide. It tracks these across food, beauty, and supplements, citing regulators like EFSA and FDA.
How many scans can I do for free with BannedPantry?
The free version of BannedPantry allows for 5 scans per day, with no signup required for the initial scans. This provides a good starting point for checking your groceries.
What is Pregnancy Mode in BannedPantry?
Pregnancy Mode in BannedPantry flags ingredients that are associated with developmental toxicity. This feature is available with a 14-day free trial and is fully accessible with a Pro subscription.
Can BannedPantry scan damaged barcodes?
Yes, BannedPantry offers an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) photo scan feature. This allows you to scan products even when the barcode is missing or damaged, ensuring you can still check ingredients.
What are the subscription options for BannedPantry Pro?
BannedPantry Pro offers two subscription plans: a monthly plan for $7.99 and a yearly plan for $59.99. The yearly plan includes a 3-day free trial.
How does BannedPantry differ from other apps like Yuka or EWG?
Unlike Yuka's 0-100 rating, BannedPantry specifically identifies ingredients that are banned in other countries. It also covers food and beauty, whereas EWG primarily focuses on cosmetics, and it uses public data unlike Bobby Approved's curated lists.
Is my scanning data private with BannedPantry?
BannedPantry prioritizes user privacy. Your scans remain on your device unless you choose to sign in, and the app states it never sells user data.
How often is BannedPantry updated?
BannedPantry was last updated on August 28, 2026, with version 1.0. This indicates a recent release, and users can expect future updates to maintain its functionality and data accuracy.
