Barcodes are used by businesses across the worlds as a way of unique product identification. But Australian food scientists have now found another use for the simple barcode label – as a way to help shoppers make healthy choices when buying food from a supermarket.
A new iPhone application, which has just been launched, allows shoppers to find out the nutritional information of a product and hence help them to avoid fatty, salty or sugary items.
The senior director at the University of Sydney, Bruce Neal, stated:
“FoodSwitch’s three-step approach marries the latest technology with cutting edge research. Australians can now scan barcodes, see what’s in a food, and switch to a healthier choice in an instant,”
A poor diet causes some of Australia’s biggest health problems, but by simply scanning the barcode of the item they may wish to purchase, shoppers can get a wealth of information about that product and then make an informed choice whether or not to buy. Neal concluded:
“Choosing a healthier diet has to be made easier, because good eating habits are one of the best and most cost-effective ways to prevent disease. For long, Australians have grappled with confusing food labels. And with FoodSwitch there is no reason why this should continue,”