A product scanner that detects EDCs

Endocrine Protect is a mobile app that checks products for endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), from a barcode scan or a photo of the ingredient list read with OCR. We designed the interface and built the app in Flutter.

UX/UI
Mobile app
Development

Category: Mobile
Scope: Mobile app (iOS, Android)
Industry and model: B2C · Healthcare
Technologies: Flutter, OCR

Endocrine Protect app: product ingredients, scan result, home screen, similar products and statistics

Challenge

An ingredient list on a label tells you little if you don’t know what to look for.

People who want to limit chemicals that disrupt the hormonal system have no easy access to reliable information about what products contain. They needed a tool that, based on current scientific research, shows what is in a product right away, in the store, at the shelf.

The result had to be clear without any chemistry knowledge: the number of EDCs in the product, a short explanation of each ingredient with sources, and suggestions for products with fewer EDCs. The app is complemented by educational materials prepared by experts. The project was created as part of the UnicornHub incubation program.

From scan to an informed choice

We fit a product check into four steps.

01
Barcode scan
The user points the camera at the barcode, and the app looks the product up in its database.
02
Ingredient photo
If the product isn’t in the database, a photo of the label is enough: OCR reads the ingredients, and the user can correct them.
03
Result and explanation
The number of EDCs, a description of each ingredient with sources, and a warning when the product doesn’t match dietary preferences.
04
Alternatives
Similar products with fewer EDCs, plus scan history and a product database.

Scan and result

One big button on the home screen, a barcode scan and a result with the number of EDCs. Each ingredient has a short explanation with links to research.

Database and ingredient scan

A product database with EDC counts, a comparison with similar products and an OCR path when the barcode isn’t in the database.

Knowledge and motivation

Educational presentations, dietary preferences, scan statistics, and badges and points for activity.

Scope of work

UX/UI
Mobile app design: onboarding, barcode and ingredient scanning (OCR), results with EDC explanations, product database, educational materials, account and loyalty program.
Development
A Flutter mobile app with barcode scanning and OCR ingredient analysis, plus a web app.
Launch
Publishing in the app stores: the mobile versions are in closed testing, and the app is ultimately meant to meet the HIPAA standard.