# FoodSwitch

> Simple way to get healthier food choices based on science & nutrition expertise

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.foodswitch.android](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.foodswitch.android)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.foodswitch.android`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** FoodSwitch
- **Category:** HEALTH\_AND\_FITNESS
- **Downloads:** 87,737
- **Rating:** 1.65 / 5 (292 ratings)
- **Version:** 7.0
- **Last updated:** 2026-07-21
- **First published:** 2020-06-09
- **Publisher country:** AU
- **Size:** 60 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-25
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.foodswitch.android)
- **Website:** [https://www.georgeinstitute.org/projects/foodswitch](https://www.georgeinstitute.org/projects/foodswitch)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://www.foodswitch.com/foodswitch-privacy-policy/](https://www.foodswitch.com/foodswitch-privacy-policy/)

## Description

FoodSwitch is a powerful Chrome extension designed to help you make healthier food choices with ease. Simply scan the barcode of packaged food products to access detailed nutrition facts including energy, fat, sugar, and salt content. Benefit from features like Health Star rating and Traffic Light Labels that visually guide you toward smarter purchases. \n\nAccredited by ORCHA and trusted by global health organizations, FoodSwitch offers a vast database recognizing over a million barcodes. It's perfect for those aiming to watch calories, avoid gluten, or reduce intake of fats and sugars. Join a community committed to healthier living by sharing new product data and enjoy credible, science-backed guidance from The George Institute for Global Health.

## Rankings

- #235,567 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_CUSTOM_AUDIENCE`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_TOPICS`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.CAMERA`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.camera`
- `com.foodswitch.android.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`
- `com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE`
- `com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE`
- `com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID`
- `com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES`

## Review summary

Users appreciate FoodSwitch for its easy-to-use interface and helpfulness in identifying healthier food options, especially for those with dietary restrictions. However, many report the app struggles to recognize scanned products due to a limited database, experiences long loading times, and has device compatibility issues. The shift to requiring registration for certain features and regressions in the new version compared to the previous one have caused frustration among users. Overall, the app is seen as promising but currently limited by technical and usability issues.

### Pros

- User-friendly interface suitable for all ages, including seniors.
- Helpful for people with specific dietary needs like coeliac disease and fitness goals.
- Allows scanning of barcodes to compare nutritional information and find healthier food options.
- Option to add missing products to the database by users.

### Cons

- App frequently fails to recognize or scan many products, indicating a limited database.
- Loading times are very long, sometimes taking days, making the app inconvenient to use.
- Compatibility issues with certain devices; some phones are mistaken for tablets and deemed unsupported.
- Gluten-free and other dietary filters require users to register, which some find inconvenient.
- New version lacks features present in older version and has usability regressions, causing dissatisfaction among long-time users.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.foodswitch.android)