Food Ayka: a free ingredient scanner for Android
Food Ayka reads the ingredient list on a food label from a photo and shows what is in it: the additives (E-numbers), the 14 allergens that must be declared in the EU and the product’s NOVA group, with a score out of 10 for the profile you choose. It is free on Google Play, has no ads, and the photo is read on your phone instead of being sent to a server.
How do you use it?
- Choose who you are scanning for (“Scanning as”): yourself, a family member, or your dog or cat.
- Take a photo of the ingredient list.
- Read the result: additives with what they are, allergens found, the NOVA group and a score out of 10 for that profile.
What does the app show?
| Check | What it means |
|---|---|
| Additives (E-numbers) | More than 340 E-codes in the app’s database, each with its name and role. The “E” means the additive is authorised in the EU; the number hints at its family: E1xx colours, E2xx preservatives, E3xx antioxidants and acids, E4xx thickeners and emulsifiers. |
| 14 EU allergens | Gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soy, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin and molluscs. |
| NOVA group | NOVA sorts foods into 4 groups by how processed they are, from group 1 (unprocessed or minimally processed) to group 4 (ultra-processed). |
| Score out of 10 | A summary for the chosen profile, for example a vegetarian or vegan profile, or a profile for your pet. |
“An E number means that an additive has passed safety tests and has been approved for use.”
Is my data private?
Yes. The label photo is read on your phone and is not sent to any server. The details are in the Food Ayka privacy policy.
Can the app tell me if a product is halal?
It helps you spot ingredients to look at more closely. Some additives can be of animal origin, for example E120 (carmine, from cochineal insects), E471 (depending on its source) or E904 (shellac), and gelatine has no E-number at all. To know whether a product is halal, rely on the certification printed on the pack or ask the maker.
Which languages and phones does it support?
The app is available in Arabic, English and German, on Android through Google Play. There is no iPhone version yet; any new version will be announced in the Food Ayka community on Telegram.
Why is it free?
The app is AYKA TECHNOLOGIES’ gift to the community: no ads and no subscriptions. AYKA also commits 10% of its profit to children and families in need.
Questions and answers
Is the app free?
Yes, it is free on Google Play, with no ads and no subscriptions.
Does it work for pets?
Yes: you can create a profile for your dog or cat and choose it before you scan.
Can each family member have a profile?
Yes. Each person can have a profile; pick it before scanning and the result adapts.
How do I contact the team?
Write to hello@getayka.com or join the community on Telegram.