Last updated: 5 April 2026
IngredScan aggregates product data from multiple sources:
Important: Data from these sources may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Product formulations change frequently. Always verify information by reading the actual product label.
The NOVA classification system was developed by researchers at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. It groups foods into four categories based on their level of processing:
NOVA 1 — Unprocessed or Minimally Processed
Fresh or minimally altered foods. Examples: fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, plain rice, fresh meat, milk, plain nuts.
NOVA 2 — Processed Culinary Ingredients
Substances extracted from NOVA 1 foods, used in cooking. Examples: olive oil, butter, sugar, salt, flour, vinegar.
NOVA 3 — Processed Foods
NOVA 1 foods modified by adding NOVA 2 ingredients. Usually 2-3 ingredients. Examples: tinned vegetables, cheese, freshly baked bread, cured meats, tinned fish.
NOVA 4 — Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF)
Industrial formulations with 5+ ingredients, typically including substances not used in home cooking (e.g. high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, emulsifiers, flavour enhancers). Examples: soft drinks, packaged biscuits, crisps, instant noodles, chicken nuggets, most breakfast cereals.
The IngredScan Quality Score is a proprietary rating from 0 to 10, calculated using the following formula:
Base score: 10.0
-1.5 per NOVA 4 additive (max penalty: -4.0)
-1.0 if Nutri-Score is D or E
-0.5 if Nutri-Score is C
-1.0 if saturated fat > 5g per 100g
-0.5 if sugar > 10g per 100g
-1.0 if salt > 0.6g per 100g (UK FSA threshold)
+0.5 if product is certified organic
The final score is clamped between 0.0 and 10.0. A higher score indicates a product with fewer ultra-processed additives, better nutritional profile, and less concerning ingredients.
United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales): Food additive safety in Great Britain is governed by UK assimilated law — retained EU regulations that became part of UK domestic law following Brexit and are now published on legislation.gov.uk. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is the primary authority, maintaining a public register of approved additives at food.gov.uk.
Northern Ireland: Follows EU food regulations under the Windsor Framework. EU Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 directly applies.
Post-Brexit Divergence: Since Brexit, the UK and EU food safety regulators operate independently. In most cases their decisions align, but differences exist. A notable example is Titanium Dioxide (E171), which was banned in EU food in 2022 but remains permitted in Great Britain following an independent FSA review. Where we are aware of UK/EU differences, we flag these clearly.
United States: Food additive safety is governed by the FDA under Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR). Additives may be classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe).
Each additive in our database is classified as low, medium, or high risk. These classifications are based on:
Risk ratings are relative classifications — "high risk" means an additive has more published concerns relative to others, not that it is necessarily dangerous at levels found in food. All additives permitted in UK food have passed regulatory safety assessments and are considered safe within established limits.
IngredScan also analyses cosmetic products using data from Open Beauty Facts and the EWG Skin Deep database. Cosmetic safety scores are calculated by analysing the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) ingredient list against published scientific literature and EU/UK regulatory status.
Our cosmetic Safety Score (0-10) applies deductions for high-risk ingredients (carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, formaldehyde releasers), medium-risk ingredients (potential sensitisers, parabens), and adds small bonuses for positive certifications (vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free).
Important: IngredScan cosmetic scores are for informational purposes only and should not replace advice from a qualified dermatologist or healthcare professional. Individual skin reactions vary — an ingredient rated low risk may still cause reactions in sensitive individuals. If you have a known skin allergy or condition, always patch test new products and consult a dermatologist before use.
Infant Formula and Baby Milk
IngredScan does not score infant formula or baby milk products. When these products are detected, we show official NHS guidance instead. Infant formula is governed by strict UK and EU nutritional regulations and should not be compared using standard food processing scores.
Medicines and Pharmaceutical Products
IngredScan does not identify or analyse medicines, prescription drugs, OTC medicines, or pharmaceutical products. If a medicine is scanned, we will tell you clearly that we cannot help and direct you to appropriate resources.
Dietary Supplements
IngredScan does not currently score dietary supplements, vitamins, or sports nutrition products. Supplement scanning is planned for a future update.
Incorrect Identification
If IngredScan incorrectly identifies a food product as a medicine or formula, or vice versa, please use the 'Report incorrect product' button on the result page. We review all reports and correct misidentifications promptly.
Fresh, whole produce (fruits, vegetables, raw meat, eggs, etc.) is always classified as NOVA 1 — unprocessed or minimally processed. If you scan a fresh product and it shows a different NOVA classification, this is an error. Please use the Report feature to let us know.
If you find incorrect product data, inaccurate scores, or missing information:
For questions about our data or scoring methodology, contact us at support@ingredscan.com.