Frequently Asked Questions

Who creates the product database?

Independent experts and organizations

CodeCheck relies on reputable experts and data sources, such as the European Commission (CosIng) and the California Department of Public Health, for rating ingredients. A list of all expert assessments and data sources used by CodeCheck can be found in the app under More. These independent organizations are active internationally or are state institutions under continual supervision. CodeCheck also relies on ratings compiled by third-parties, such as Greenpeace, to evaluate palm oil in foods and cosmetics.

The community and manufacturers

The CodeCheck community and manufacturers contribute the product data such as names, EAN numbers and the ingredients of foods and cosmetics. To do this, CodeCheck collaborates with producers and retailers who provide CodeCheck with verified data.

Once these constantly changing data were entered into the CodeCheck database mainly via this Wiki system. In this way, we were able to ensure that the constantly changing recipes were kept up to date. In the meantime, we use machine learning and manufacturer data to make the database even more up-to-date and accurate.

The rating circle

The rating circle for cosmetics is created by combining the above data sources in our patented algorithm. In total, CodeCheck evaluates more than 13,000 different cosmetic ingredients.

Grey: No rating available

Green: No concern identified

Light green: Low concern

Light red: Significant concern

Red:  High concern

Personalizing the rating

The rating of cosmetics can also be personalized. In this way, users are provided with a rating circle tailored to their needs. If, for example, you want to avoid products with microplastics, you will see a rather red rating circle for products containing this substance.

The rating circle

Assessment of nutritional values (fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt) Evaluation of other problematic ingredients (such as gluten, lactose or other animal ingredients)

Grey: No rating available

Green: No concern identified

Yellow: Limit consumption

Red: Not recommended

Nutritional traffic light

The nutrition traffic light signals at a glance where nutritional experts are locating the proportion of fat, saturated fatty acids, sugar and salt in the red, yellow or green range. The assessments of the British Food Standards Agency serve as the basis for the assessment.

Personalizing the rating

The evaluation of food can also be personalized. In this way, users receive a rating circle tailored to their needs. For example, if you want to avoid products that contain too much sugar, the rating circle for products that contain this substance will appear red.

 

Objective

Our product evaluations and recommendations are objective. No producer or retailer can influence the ratings in any way.

Unique

The way CodeCheck evaluates ingredients is also unique: In using different data sources for the evaluation and listing them beneath the ingredient evaluation, the evaluation system is not only up-to-date and transparent but also scientifically sound.

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