EWG’s Food Scores is an easy-to-use food database that helps you make healthier, more informed choices about what you eat and drink based on scientific data and research.
The database puts at consumers’ fingertips information about over 80,000 products, ranging from candy to condiments – including many, if not most, of the products in your shopping cart. Consumers have searched Food Scores over 100 million times since it launched in 2014.
Food and beverages are ranked on their nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns. Each product gets a score on a scale of 1 to 10 – best to worst – so you can find out the healthfulness of a product at a glance. But Details are also available for each product’s score breakdown, highlighting concerns and known safety hazards that affect the score.
The database also features a unique function that allows users to customize each product’s nutrition facts panel by age, gender and life stage, including whether they are pregnant. This information is based on values from the National Institutes of Health’s Dietary Reference Intakes tables and reports. Users can also limit their searches to certified organic, GMO-free or gluten-free foods.
The database is free, available online or through EWG’s Healthy Living App, which lets shoppers scan product barcodes and compare the scores of similar products.
How are scores determined?
EWG’s scientists base scores on weighted counts for nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns. Generally, nutrition counts most, ingredient concerns next and degree of processing least. The scores in combination determine the total product score.
The nutrition score uses a modified version of the Ofcom Nutritional Profiling Model. Developed by Oxford University and the U.K. Food Standards Agency and in effect since 2007, this model provides a scientific basis for regulating advertisements of unhealthy foods and beverages that target children.
Ofcom is a trusted model used worldwide as a foundation for similar nutrition models. EWG has modified Ofcom to fit our standards and your needs. The algorithm we use differentiates between healthful and less healthful foods by considering calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium, protein, fiber, fruit, vegetable and nut content and other factors.
Our scientists assess the safety and health impacts of individual ingredients based on EWG’s total hazards methodology. Certain contaminants, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and food additives all influence the score. EWG uses peer-reviewed studies to determine the health implications of ingredients and other factors.
Eating a variety of whole foods is the healthiest option, but people often turn to processed foods due to busy schedules and cost constraints. The processing score reflects our best estimate of the extent to which a product has been modified, enhanced or preserved.
To create this algorithm, our scientists researched food processing using industry handbooks, patents, agency reports and manuals. The major factors considered for this calculation include the manufacturing process of individual ingredients, ingredient origin and the overall process of product creation.
After the three scores are combined, the overall score is rounded to the nearest whole number.
How often is the database updated?
The Food Scores database is updated monthly with new food products and manufacturing changes, primarily using label information from Label Insight. But new product entries do not replace old ones of the same product. If an item hasn’t been updated for over a year, it is then flagged with an asterisk and may have a newer entry in the system.
Another potential complication is duplicate listings for a single product. This can occur when manufacturers change formulas or serving sizes. Updates like these may cause scores for the same product to vary.
To make sure you’re looking at the correct products, compare your item’s ingredient list to the one in the database. If they don’t match, look for another entry in the database.
Why do we do it?
EWG does the hard work for you. We know not everyone has time to make sense of the confusing ingredients on their food labels. And government agencies and corporations are failing to protect us.
Our database simplifies the information you need to decide whether a product fits your lifestyle.
“We developed EWG’s Food Scores in recognition of two trends," said Ken Cook, EWG president and co-founder. “First, Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about excessive amounts of sugar, salt, fat and other unhealthy ingredients in supermarket food. Second, they no longer trust big food companies or popular brands to put health before profits, not even the health of our kids.
“With EWG’s Food Scores, shoppers can quickly see what food companies are really putting into their food,” he added.
You can consult Food Scores through the EWG website. Or use the Healthy Living app for free, easy access to the database when you’re on the go. For more information, check out the FAQ page on the EWG Food Scores website.
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
