Nowadays, making wise food choices has become more important than ever. With the number of ultra-processed products on the market, many people are looking for tools to help them make better purchasing decisions. This is where Yuka, an application that allows scan food and cosmetic products to assess their impact on health.
But is it really reliable? How exactly does it work? In this article, we'll break down everything about this app, from how it works to the criticism it has received for its rating system.
What is Yuka and how does it work?
Yuka is a free application Available for mobile devices, this app allows you to scan a product's barcode to analyze it. When you do this, the app provides a score based on three factors:
- Nutritional quality: Based on the Nutri-Score system, which analyzes the amount of fat, sugar, salt and fiber.
- Presence of additives: Evaluates food additives and their impact on health.
- If the product is organic: 10% of the final score is assigned if the product is certified organic.
The results are presented on a color scale from green to red, indicating whether the product is excellent, good, mediocre or bad.
Evaluation of food products
One of Yuka's strongest points is its ability to evaluate foods based on their nutritional composition. It is based on:
- The Nutri-Score system, a scale that classifies from A (best) to E (worst).
- Presence of additive, marking them as harmless or dangerous.
- If the product is ecological o no.
However, some experts believe that putting too much weight on additives can generate unjustified fear in consumers. If you are interested in more about this type of applications, you can review the best apps to know the composition of food.
Evaluation of cosmetic products
In addition to food, Yuka also analyzes productos cosméticos, analyzing ingredients based on available scientific studies. Each ingredient is assigned a risk level, helping consumers avoid potentially harmful substances.
In this case, the evaluation is based on:
- The presence of harmful ingredients as endocrine disruptors or allergens.
- The amount of additives and preservatives synthetics.
- If the product has natural ingredients o no.
This has made Yuka a popular choice among those looking for healthier cosmetic options. For those who wish to delve deeper, there are Apps to analyze cosmetics that take care of your health.
Recommendations for alternatives
Another very useful feature of Yuka is that when a product receives a bad scoreThe app suggests healthier alternatives. This applies to both food and cosmetics.
The recommendations are based on:
- Similar products with a better rating.
- Ingredients more natural and fewer additives.
- Eco-friendly or lower health impact options.
This system is useful, although it has been criticized because some recommended alternatives continue to be processed. For more information on apps that help identify product origins, check out apps that tell you the origin of products.
Criticisms and controversies
Despite its popularity, Yuka is not without its critics. Some nutritionists and food experts have pointed out several problems with its rating system:
- Excessive concern about additivesNot all additives are harmful, and some experts believe the app encourages chemophobia.
- Nutri-Score is not always accurate: It can penalize healthy products such as canned fish while favoring ultra-processed products with misleading prices.
- Organic products are not always betterYuka gives extra points to organic products, but this doesn't always mean they are healthier.
- Lack of individualization: Each person has dietary needs different and the app does not consider factors such as intolerances or energy requirements.
Does it really change the way we shop?
Yuka has proven to have an impact on the consumer habits of many people, especially in France, where it is extremely popular. Studies have shown that app users:
- They discard products with questionable additives more easily.
- They feel more secure when buying, but sometimes ignore warnings if they really like the product.
- They prefer products with best score, even if they are a little more expensive.
Still, some consumers decide not to use Yuka on every purchase because They don't want to feel like they're losing autonomy in their decisions.
La app Yuka It has become an indispensable tool for those who want to know more about what they consume. Its operation, based on the evaluation of ingredients and nutritional values, makes it useful for making informed decisions. However, its classification criteria have certain limitations, such as the overvaluation of organic products and the demonization of additives. Despite this, it remains an interesting option for those looking for a quick and easy guide at the time of buying.
