Barcode Scanning

Overview

WPL's barcode scanner uses your device camera to instantly look up product nutrition information from the OpenFoodFacts database, one of the world's largest open food product databases.

How to Scan Barcodes

1. Navigate to the meal logging or shopping page
2. Look for the barcode scan icon (usually near the camera button)
3. Click to open the scanner
4. Allow camera access when prompted (first time only)
5. Point your camera at the product barcode
6. Hold steady until the scan completes (usually 1-2 seconds)
7. View the product information automatically displayed

What Information You Get

When you scan a barcode, WPL retrieves:

Basic Information

• Product Name: Full product title
• Brand: Manufacturer name
• Product Image: Photo of the packaging
• Serving Size: Standard portion

Nutritional Data

• Calories: Per serving and per 100g
• Macronutrients: Protein, carbs, fat, fiber
• Micronutrients: Vitamins and minerals (when available)
• Sodium: Salt content
• Sugars: Total and added sugars

Additional Data

• Ingredients List: Full ingredient breakdown
• Allergens: Common allergen warnings
• Labels: Organic, gluten-free, vegan, etc.
• Nova Group: Food processing classification

Common Use Cases

Meal Logging

Add packaged foods to your meal logs:

1. While logging a meal, tap the barcode icon
2. Scan the product
3. Adjust serving size if needed
4. Add to your meal - nutrition auto-calculated

Shopping Lists

Quickly add items while shopping:

1. Open your shopping list
2. Scan products you want to buy
3. Items added with full nutrition info
4. Check off as you shop

Product Comparison

Compare similar products:

• Scan multiple brands of the same product type
• Compare calories, protein, sugar content
• Make healthier choices based on data
• Save favorites for future reference

Offline Scanning

Barcode scanning works offline using cached product data. See our Offline Mode guide for details.

How Offline Works

• Previously scanned products are cached automatically
• Common products may be pre-cached
• If product not in cache, it queues for online lookup
• You can still add the product with manual entry

Scanning Tips for Best Results

Data Source: OpenFoodFacts

WPL uses the OpenFoodFacts database, a collaborative, free, and open database of food products from around the world.

Database Coverage

• Over 2.8 million products worldwide
• 100+ countries represented
• Growing daily with community contributions
• Verified nutrition data

Data Quality

• Most data from official product packaging
• Community-verified information
• Regular updates as products change
• Completeness score shown for each product

When a Product Isn't Found

If you scan a barcode not in the database:

Option 1: Manual Entry

1. Enter product name manually
2. Input nutrition facts from packaging
3. Save for your records

Option 2: Contribute to Database

1. WPL provides a link to add the product to OpenFoodFacts
2. Takes 2-3 minutes to photograph packaging and enter data
3. Helps everyone else who scans that product in the future
4. Product becomes available in WPL after contribution

Privacy & Permissions

Camera Access

Barcode scanning requires camera permission. WPL only uses your camera when you activate the scanner - never in the background.

Data Handling

• No photos are stored or transmitted
• Only the barcode number is sent to OpenFoodFacts
• Scanned products cached locally for offline use
• No personally identifiable information shared

Troubleshooting

Camera won't open

• Check browser camera permissions
• Try refreshing the page
• Ensure no other app is using the camera
• On mobile, use the native browser (Chrome/Safari)

Barcode won't scan

• Clean your camera lens
• Improve lighting conditions
• Try a different barcode on the package (many have multiple)
• Manually enter the barcode numbers if scanning fails repeatedly

Product data incomplete

• Check the completeness score shown
• Some products have limited data available
• Consider contributing missing information to OpenFoodFacts
• Use manual entry to supplement missing fields

Wrong product appears

• Verify the barcode number matches the product
• Some generic barcodes are reused by different brands
• Report incorrect matches through the app
• Use manual entry for accurate tracking

Scanning Items Out of Inventory

Use the barcode scanner to deplete or remove items from your kitchen inventory:

1. Open the Inventory page and tap the scan icon
2. Scan the barcode of the item you used up or finished
3. Confirm the quantity to remove (defaults to 1)
4. The item is decremented or removed from inventory
5. Optionally, WPL adds it back to your shopping list automatically

This keeps your inventory accurate without manual counting and ensures you never forget to restock.

OCR Expiration Date Scanning

Snap a photo of an expiration or best-by date and let AI read it for you:

1. Open the item in your inventory and tap Scan Expiration
2. Point your camera at the expiration date on the package
3. Tesseract.js reads the date and attaches it to the inventory item
4. WPL alerts you before items expire so you can use them in time

Works with most printed date formats. If the AI misreads the date, you can correct it manually.

Scanning While Shopping

During an active shopping session, the barcode scanner works in a streamlined flow:

• Scan items as they go in your cart — they check off the list automatically
• Spot something not on the list? Scan it to add on the fly
• The scanner stays open between scans for a fast, continuous experience

Learn more: Shopping Lists Guide

Advanced Features

Batch Scanning

Scan multiple products quickly:

• Scanner stays open after each scan
• Products queue up for review
• Adjust quantities and portions together
• Add all to meal or shopping list at once

Favorite Products

• Save frequently scanned items as favorites
• Quick-add without scanning each time
• Builds your personal product library

Health Scores

WPL shows health ratings for scanned products:

• Nutri-Score: A-E rating based on nutrition
• NOVA Group: Food processing level (1-4)
• Eco-Score: Environmental impact rating
• Custom filters: Set dietary preferences

Next Steps