A new mobile phone application aims to arm consumers with the information that food manufacturers fail to provide on their packaging labels.
Developed for the Apple iPhone, the Vegetarian Scanner allows users to scan food labels in order to determine the veggie status of the product.
In addition, it will also tell diners what additives are included and will give them access to an extensive directory of ingredients to try and avoid.
The launch of the programme comes after the Food Standards Agency recently requested that more detailed product information is included on food packaging.
In addition, it also proposed that single portions of some biscuits, cakes, buns and chocolates, which are heavy on sugar and saturated fats, should be sold at a reduced size.
The consumer watchdog Which? recently highlighted the growing trend among consumers to know what is going into their food products.
It called for those in the food manufacturing and processing sector to make the inclusion of ingredients readily available at the packaging stage to make it easier for people to adopt healthy eating practices.
Hoppers – mobile loading hoppers – flexible bulk containersJames Smith