# NHS Food Scanner > Scan food barcodes to view nutritional content and make healthier choices. (iPhone/iPad app by Department of Health and Social Care (Digital).) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-food-scanner/id1182946415 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Department of Health and Social Care (Digital)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1015850255) - Category: Health & Fitness - Price: Free - Rating: 4.22/5 from 1,121 App Store ratings · 72 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 183 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2016-12-19 - Data updated: 2026-09-02 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-food-scanner/id1182946415/reviews.md ## What is NHS Food Scanner? This is the latest edition of the Food Scanner app and is an opportunity for you to try out our new features within the application whilst we still build to improve the functionality over the following months. Ever wondered how much sugar is in your fave cola or salt is in your sauce? Find out with the Food Scanner app! Food Scanner is here to help you and your family make healthier food and drink choices. It's time to get scanning! Just find a food or drink barcode to quickly see what's inside. You might be surprised by what you find! Search 'Change4Life' to discover a whole range of ideas to help keep your family healthy and happy. We are using Augmented Reality within the app that brings to life what’s inside your food and drink right in front of your eyes! There are certain limitations depending on what device you have and if your device supports ARCore. If it doesn’t not to worry we will show you a 3D scenario instead so you won’t miss out on all the fun. The app is based on the most widespread data available to us. We're continuously working to improve it and we're adding more and more products all the time. The nutrient data in this app is supplied by Brand Bank and Food Switch. The number of sugar cubes, sat fat and salt sachets shown in app are based on grams per pack/100g/ml/portion when that information is available. The weight of one sugar cube is equal to 4 grams The weight on one sat fat lump is equal to 1 gram The weight of one salt sachet is equal to 0.5 grams ## Key features - Barcode scanning for food and drink - Nutrient information (sugar, salt, fat) - Augmented reality visualization - 3D nutritional models - Healthier food choice guidance - Continuous data improvement ## Recent user reviews (10 of 72) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-food-scanner/id1182946415/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Tried it. *2026-08-12, version 4.0.1* I wish it recognised more items. ### 4/5 — NHS Food Scanner *2026-08-10, version 4.0.1* Really good shows. Better options for bad food must try ### 2/5 — Great idea but doesn’t scan *2026-08-06, version 4.0.1* Downloaded this app after attending an NHS group for diabetes. I can search items but the scanner doesn’t work. I have tried switching phone off and on, deleting and reinstalling app but it just doesn’t scan. I’m using an iPhone 16 Pro ### 1/5 — This app is a joke! Doesn’t have the most common food on it! Waste of time *2026-08-02, version 4.0.1* This app is a joke! Doesn’t have the most common food on it! Waste of time ### 2/5 — Great idea but buggy *2026-07-31, version 4.0.1* I’ve lost over 3st so far on the NHS Weight Loss app and active 10s app on my iPhone 16 so thought I’d download this. Managed to scan 1 product, checked out a swap then it froze and the phone froze and strobed! Could not exit app so I had to delete and reload the app again. Scanned a different item and had the same issue. ### 3/5 — Great!! *2026-07-21, version 4.0.1* I am very impressed with this app. My husband is pre diabetic and we are looking closely at our diet. Love the traffic light system. Makes it very easy to use. There are some kinks. I scanned eggs. They came up as ‘amber alert’ When I looked at healthy alternatives, the app came up with a prepackaged curry. But with more people using it, it will get better. Overall, I’m happy and impressed. ### 1/5 — Suggested swaps *2026-07-14, version 4.0.1* Most of the suggested swaps are not available in my supermarket. Also the swaps do not take into account the size of each item. If you swap 30mg for 50mg are you really benefitting? ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2026-07-12, version 4.0.1* Don’t waste your time, tried three different barcodes and nothing happened ### 5/5 — Good scanning app *2026-06-08, version 4.0.1* Scans food accurately, shows staggering data and cute animations. It even celebrates when you make a healthy choice! Will recommend. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2026-06-04, version 4.0.1* Half of the products you scan does not recognise! Best app will be Yuka that it will scan 90% of products including beauty products. ## Frequently asked questions about NHS Food Scanner ### What is NHS Food Scanner? NHS Food Scanner is a free application that allows you to scan barcodes on food and drink products to see their nutritional content, such as sugar, salt, and fat. It aims to help you and your family make healthier food and drink choices. ### How does NHS Food Scanner work? You simply find a food or drink barcode and scan it using the app. The app will then quickly display what's inside, including visualizations of nutrients like sugar cubes, salt sachets, and fat lumps. ### Does NHS Food Scanner use augmented reality? Yes, NHS Food Scanner uses augmented reality to bring to life what's inside your food and drink. If your device doesn't support ARCore, it will show a 3D scenario instead so you don't miss out. ### Where does NHS Food Scanner get its nutrient data? The nutrient data in NHS Food Scanner is supplied by Brand Bank and Food Switch. The app is based on the most widespread data available and is continuously being improved with more products added. ### How is nutritional information presented in NHS Food Scanner? The app shows the number of sugar cubes, sat fat lumps, and salt sachets based on grams per pack/100g/ml/portion. For reference, one sugar cube equals 4 grams, one sat fat lump equals 1 gram, and one salt sachet equals 0.5 grams. ### Is NHS Food Scanner available on all devices? The app's functionality, particularly augmented reality features, may have certain limitations depending on your device. However, a 3D scenario will be shown if ARCore is not supported, ensuring a similar experience. ### How often is NHS Food Scanner updated? The latest version is 4.0.1, last updated on March 26, 2026. The developers are continuously working to improve the functionality and add more products to the app. ### What is the user rating for NHS Food Scanner? NHS Food Scanner has a strong user rating of 4.2 stars from 1,121 ratings, indicating positive user sentiment and satisfaction with its features. ## Version history (last 1 release) ### 4.0.1 — 2026-03-26 This update includes minor bug fixes and internal improvements to enhance stability and performance of the Food Scanner app ## More apps by Department of Health and Social Care (Digital) - [NHS Quit Smoking](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-quit-smoking/id687298065) - [NHS Couch to 5K](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-couch-to-5k/id1082307672) - [NHS Drink Free Days](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-drink-free-days/id1196694906) - [NHS Active 10 Walking Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-active-10-walking-tracker/id1204295312) - [NHS Weight Loss Plan](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-weight-loss-plan/id1519208548) All apps by Department of Health and Social Care (Digital): https://appshunter.io/developer/1015850255 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*