Free · Private · No sign-up
A food label scanner built for India
Indian labels print additives by INS number and by names engineered to sound harmless. The Food Scanner is a food label scanner tuned for the Indian shelf — it reads INS codes and local names, matches them against FSSAI plus global food-safety data, and grades the health risk 0 to 10.
What it does
Why people pick TheFoodScanner
-
Reads INS numbers (e.g. INS 621 / E621 for MSG) and Indian-context names like vanaspati and "yeast extract".
-
Matches against FSSAI regulations alongside JECFA, EFSA, FDA, IARC and WHO classifications.
-
Flags additives that are legal locally but restricted or banned abroad — useful context the on-pack label never gives.
-
Works on any packaged food sold in India, including private-label and regional brands that barcode tools miss.
-
No app install — runs in the browser on any Android or iOS phone.
How it works
Three steps. Seconds.
01
Scan or upload
Open your camera and line up the ingredients panel, or drop in a photo. OCR runs entirely in your browser.
02
We decode it
Every line is matched against our curated hazard database — additives, INS codes, and the brand-name synonyms that hide them.
03
Get the verdict
A 0–10 health hazard score, plain-English meanings, daily safe limits, and where each additive is banned abroad.
FAQ
Quick answers
What is a food label scanner for India?
It is a tool that reads the ingredients text on Indian packaged food and decodes the INS numbers and additive names printed there. The Food Scanner matches them against FSSAI and global safety data and grades the health risk from 0 to 10.
Can it read INS numbers printed on Indian labels?
Yes. The keyword engine recognises INS codes with or without the "INS"/"E" prefix and with suffix letters (e.g. INS 160c), plus common Indian names such as vanaspati, ajinomoto and yeast extract.
Does it only work on barcoded national brands?
No. Because it reads the actual printed ingredients text rather than a barcode, it works on any packaged food — regional brands, private label and new products included.
Is it free with no app-store install?
Yes. It runs in the browser, so there is nothing to download and no account to create. Open /scan, allow the camera and scan a label.
Scan before you buy.
Run your next packaged food through TheFoodScanner — it takes under ten seconds.