HonestScan

Is my label photo sent anywhere?

No. All analysis (OCR) happens locally, in your browser. Your photo never leaves your device.

Are the results medical advice?

No. HonestScan is for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a doctor or dietitian – especially for allergies or chronic conditions.

Why was my scan rejected even though the label looks readable?

This is usually a photo quality issue – glare, blur, tiny print, or low contrast. Try flattening the packaging, moving the camera closer, using "Scan Document" mode if your phone offers it, and avoiding reflections.

How does the licence key work?

Every purchase gets its own licence key – you'll find it in the purchase email from Payhip. Enter it once in the App ("Already have a licence key?"), and the full version (unlimited scans) is permanently unlocked. One key works on up to 5 devices/browsers. Activation needs the internet once; after that the App also works offline.

I didn't receive my licence key after buying – what do I do?

Check your spam folder. If it still hasn't arrived after 30 minutes, email us at support@honestscan.app.

I got a new phone or cleared my browser – what do I do?

Enter the same licence key again. Each key works on up to 5 devices/browsers. If the App says the key is already active on 5 devices, email support@honestscan.app with your order number – we'll reset it so you can activate it again.

The App says my key has been switched off – why?

Keys are switched off when a purchase is refunded. If you didn't ask for a refund, email support@honestscan.app with your order number and we'll sort it out.

Does the App work offline?

After the first load, some features may work without an internet connection (as a PWA), but we recommend a stable connection for the best experience.

How do I delete my data or unsubscribe from emails?

Click the unsubscribe link in any email from us, or write to support@honestscan.app.

Is the App available in other languages?

Yes – a Polish version is available as Kupuj Prosto (kupujprosto.pl).

How do I report a bug or suggest a new detection category?

Email us at support@honestscan.app – every suggestion gets read.

How do I turn on pets mode?

Tap the round paw icon in the top-right corner of the app. Tap the same icon to go back (it then shows the HonestScan logo). If you scan pet food in food mode, or a product for people in pets mode, the app offers to switch modes — no new scan needed. Premium and the free-scan counter are shared by both modes.

Does pets mode replace my vet?

No. The app reads the label and points out things worth checking. It doesn't know your pet's health. With an allergy, illness, special diet or suspected poisoning, your vet always decides.

Why do I have to choose dog or cat?

Because the same ingredients affect them differently. Taurine is essential for cats, much less so for dogs. Some substances are more dangerous for one species (e.g. permethrin from dog flea treatments is highly toxic to cats). The most common allergens differ too. You can switch species at any time — also on the result screen, without using a scan.

Do you check treats and chews too?

Yes — foods, treats and supplements are checked in one mode. Toxins are always rated strictly: treats are often shared between animals in a household, so e.g. raisins are marked as dangerous for cats too. We skip taurine and vitamins when the label says "complementary food" — such a product doesn't have to be a complete diet.

Why does the order of ingredients matter?

UK/EU rules (and AAFCO in the US) require the composition to be listed in descending order by weight. The first 2–3 items are the base of the food. Cereal in 1st place is very different from cereal in 10th. Peas or carrots further down the list are an ordinary, useful ingredient, not a "filler".

Chicken is marked as an allergen. Does that mean it's bad?

No. We show the proteins that most often cause food allergies (in dogs: beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, lamb; in cats: beef, fish, chicken — review by Mueller and Olivry, 2016). No protein is universally safe or risky. If your pet tolerates chicken well, there's no reason to avoid it.

Is "grain-free" food better?

For most dogs and cats there's no evidence for that. It's mostly a marketing claim. What matters more is what replaced the cereal. If peas or lentils dominate the first positions of a dog food, we show a cautious note: the FDA is investigating a possible link between such diets and a heart condition (DCM), but the link has not been scientifically confirmed.

BHA and BHT are marked as "questionable". Are they poisonous?

We don't say they're poisonous. EFSA considers them safe at permitted doses. However, no safe dose of BHA has been set for cats, so the note is stricter for cats. Treat it as a reason to compare with other foods.

What does "EC permitted antioxidants" mean?

It's a legal way of listing additives by category without naming them. You can't tell whether they're natural (e.g. tocopherols, rosemary extract) or synthetic (e.g. BHA, BHT), so we flag it as "worth checking" and suggest asking the manufacturer.

My vet diet didn't get a rating. Why?

Dietetic foods (veterinary / prescription diets) have a deliberately simplified or restricted composition, chosen to manage a specific condition. Rating them like an everyday food would be misleading. We recognise them and still show toxins and allergens, but your vet decides how to use them.

What does "chicken flavour" mean?

Under the UK/EU labelling code (FEDIAF), "X flavour" means ingredient X may be less than 4%. "With X" requires at least 4%, and "rich in X" at least 14%. US rules (AAFCO) differ: "with X" at least 3%, "X Dinner/Formula" at least 25%.

How do I take a good photo of pet food?

Get the word "Composition" (or "Ingredients") and the whole ingredients list in the frame. Ideally also the "Additives" section (that's where taurine and vitamins are). Flatten the bag, avoid flash glare on foil and hold the phone still for a moment. If the photo doesn't work, you can paste the composition as text.

Does anyone pay you for pet food ratings?

No. We don't work with pet food manufacturers or pet shops. We're funded only by one-off payments for the full version — so the rating depends only on the composition.

My pet ate something from the toxins list. What should I do?

Contact your vet immediately, ideally a 24-hour practice. Don't make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to. Take the product packaging with you.