# NHS Food Scanner — user reviews > 72 indexed App Store user reviews of NHS Food Scanner by Department of Health and Social Care (Digital), rated 4.22/5 from 1,121 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-food-scanner/id1182946415/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-food-scanner/id1182946415.md ## Newest reviews (11 of 72) ### 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 ### 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. ### 4/5 — Great so far *2026-03-13, version 4.0.0* Great app quicker to use rather trying to read the small hard to read info on food item packaging. ### 4/5 — Food *2026-03-11, version 4.0.0* This app could be better if you can actually scan the products what you want in the UK because when I tried typing what I wanted in in the search bar it’s not searching. ### 3/5 — Not useful for type one diabetics *2026-02-10, version 4.0.0* Such a pity that this gives no indication of carbohydrates for any food I have scanned. Carbohydrates counting is one of the most important factors to consider for type one diabetics when trying to calculate insulin. ### 2/5 — Not good *2026-01-30, version 3.10.17* Oops that data doesn’t seem to be available, get this a lot. ### 1/5 — Not a lot of good *2026-01-26, version 3.10.17* All this has done so far is repeat the traffic light information that is on the pack and suggest alternatives. I don’t need an app to see it again. I ignore the traffic light system, too inconsistent and confusing. I prefer Yuka which gives a score out of 100 and lists additives and palm oil where there are included, and full nutrition information. ### 2/5 — Missing the recipes *2026-01-20, version 3.10.17* The old Smart Recipes/Change4Life app was great as it had a wide selection of recipes available. There doesn’t seem to be a good replacement and this app doesn’t have any recipes included ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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 ### 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 ### 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. ### 1/5 — Scanning doesn’t work on iPhone 15 Pro *2026-05-29, version 4.0.1* The app does not recognise any bar codes, because they are not in focus. The similar app Yuka does not have this problem. I suspect the issue is that the 15 Pro and some other phones have more than one camera lens. NHS Food Scanner is using the default camera lens, rather than specifying one that can focus close up. ### 1/5 — Recommends junk *2026-04-12, version 4.0.1* I scanned some free range eggs and it suggested to swap it with a Cook Pronto Fresh Tikka Curry Kit. ### 1/5 — Infant apps not for adults *2026-03-28, version 4.0.1* Unfortunately, the app is quite limited in its current form. It doesn’t offer detailed analysis of ingredients, which is essential for users who want to make informed health-conscious purchasing decisions. ### 1/5 — Tried it. *2026-03-19, version 4.0.0* Scan button does not work on 15 pro max. ### 1/5 — Lidl not recognised *2026-02-28, version 4.0.0* Useless ### 1/5 — Terrible *2026-01-26, version 3.10.17* Scanner not fit for purpose. How are you supposed to use this scanner while shopping when it’s 20/80 whether it’s scans or recognise a barcode? Skip ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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. ### 5/5 — Sweet Honey *2026-06-01, version 4.0.1* I thought Honey was good, however it not that good for me. I was replacing sugar from my breakfast cereal. I will have to find another option Kind regards Raymond Lewis ### 5/5 — Great App *2026-05-05, version 4.0.1* So easy to use and very helpful it’s better than the slimming world scanner 😊 ### 5/5 — Superb *2026-05-02, version 4.0.1* Excellent ### 5/5 — Excellent app *2026-03-25, version 4.0.0* Loved the app ### 5/5 — Good *2026-03-25, version 4.0.0* Very accurate and worth the effort ### 5/5 — Excellent *2026-03-18, version 4.0.0* Helps me make healthy choices ### 5/5 — Super helpful *2026-02-22, version 4.0.0* I thought I was making fairly healthy choices - but this has helped me understand what I should pick up in the supermarket, and what I should swap out. ### 5/5 — Helpful app *2026-01-17, version 3.10.17* A really good way to assess food choices in the supermarket or in your cupboard already. Love it. ### 5/5 — Ra *2026-01-07, version 3.10.17* Easier to use --- *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.*