Jun 29, 2022

YUKA App and How it Works

How the YUKA app can help us make better choices

According to the Lifestyle writer, Ms. Bailey Eschbach the Yuka app was created by 3 individuals and launched in 2017. 300,000 customers rated this app as 4.7 out of 5 which is pretty remarkable. Yuka has 3 independent funding sources which keeps brands and products from influencing their analysis.
It's simple to use. Apostle Ora stated that her granddaughters first introduced her to this incredible app and in return, she shared it with me for you. Thank you, Apostle Ora!

How it works is that we download and install on our cell phones the app from the google play store free of cost. There is a premium version for approximately $14 month. However, the free version probably has all the information we’ll ever need. From this app, we can quickly scan most groceries and personal care products. There are some items that haven’t been evaluated yet. And even then, we are given the opportunity to provide relevant information to help further this process (adding the missing data). Currently, there are approximately 400,000 food items and 130,000 cosmetic goods in its resource library. Quite impressive!

Not only is a score given to each item, but a detailed analysis is also outlined to clearly explain the assigned score. All the homework is done for us. The highest score is 100 and ranges from excellent to bad (lowest score). Each ingredient is accessed categorizing the negatives vs. the positives. Factors like sugar, sodium, fiber, saturated fats, calories, protein and so much more are analyzed. All one has to do is install the app on your cell phone and scan the barcode to get a grading scale. 60% of the rating is from the nutritional value. 30% is from additional additives. And the remaining 10% is attributed to the organic aspect of the product.

Cosmetics are rated similarly. The ingredients “are classified into four risk categories: risk-free (green dot), low risk (yellow dot), moderate risk (orange dot) and hazardous (red dot).”
We are cautioned that although the inventors of this great app “pride themselves on unbiased results… it should not be used over the recommendations of professionals, even if an item is said to be bad.” Their nutritionist validates the information; however, the app does not claim to be infallible. It may NOT always be 100% accurate. One reviewer stated that is a “fun approach” and can be an “eye-opening way to discover healthier food and skincare products.”

Whenever a product is rated low, recommendations for healthier choices are suggested.
Let’s look at some of the products in my home and see how Yuka rated them. I was surprised by some of the results:
1. Organic apple cider vinegar – 88/100 Excellent Reasoning: No sugar, 0 calories, no saturated fat & no salt
2. Realemon lemon juice -48/100 Poor
Reasoning: Although 100% fruit, no sugar, calories or sodium, there was 1 risky addictive that is rated as hazardous. This addictive can cause allergic reactions, gastrointestinal disorders, skin reactions, asthma attacks, and effects the central nervous system. Who would have thought?
Alternative (organic is better): Italian lemon juice, Lakewood lemon juice, Suja lemon juice, Santa cruz lemon juice.
3. Texas Pete Hot sauce -18/100 Bad Reasoning: 2 risky additives and high in sodium
Alternative – Tabasco sauce (my favorite)
4. Tuscan Garden Balsamic vinegar dressing 2/100 Bad Reasoning: 6 risky additives and high sodium content Alternatives: Distilled white vinegar, Trader Joe’s Balsamic vinegar, Lite house organic Balsamic vinegar
5. Delmonte Lite sliced peaches (can) 90/100
No negatives listed - - quite surprising!

6. Great Value Unsweetened Almond milk –
57/100 Good Reasoning: 4 additives
7. Great Value sugar free coffee creamer 45/100 Poor Reasoning: 6 risky additives Alternatives: Silk organic unsweetened creamer, Calif Farms coconut Almond milk
8. Triscuit original whole grain wheat crackers 60/100 Good Negative: 160 g sodium, 120 calories
9. Canned sliced water chestnuts 90/100 Excellent
10. Campbell’s vegetarian veg soup – 84/100 Excellent Reasoning: 1 risky additive
11. Cream of mushroom soup – 90/100 Excellent Reasoning: 1 additive
12. Libby’s whole beets – 90/100 Excellent
13. Carnation Evap milk – 39/100 Poor Reasoning: 2 risky additives Alternative: Whole milk is a better choice
14. Frozen mixed fruit – 84/100 Excellent 3 additives
15. Calif seedless raisins – 72/100 Good Negative: 26 g sugar
16. Bag Goya mixed beans – 90/100 Excellent
17. Frozen chopped spinach 90/100 Excellent
18. Frozen Lima beans – 90/100 Excellent
Let’s not forget Cosmetics
19. Off Brand 70% Rubbing alcohol – 100/100 Excellent
20. Zero alcohol cool mint Listerine – 0/100 Bad Reasoning: 10 risky ingredients Alternatives: Listerine Total care, Listerine cool mint mouthwash, Listerine ultra clean mouthwash
21. Dial hand soap: 35/100 Poor Reasoning: 8 risky ingredients Alternatives: Dial hydrating hand soap, soft soap hand soap, Mrs. Meyers’ hand soap
22. 100% pure refined coconut oil – 34/100 poor Reasoning: 93% fat ratio & 120 calories. However if used as a moisturizer and not consumed, it might be acceptable. Alternative: The organic version is preferable.
23. Dove invisible deodorant - 10/100 Reasoning: 5 risky ingredients Alternatives: Mitchum natural powder gel, Arm & Hammer body powder, Dr Teal aluminum free deodorant
24. Daylogic Vit E Oil – 100/100 Excellent
25. Another brand Vit E oil (Vital Care) – 30/100 Poor Reasoning: The low rating is because of 1 ingredient that is prohibited in food products yet allowed in cosmetics. When consumed orally, can promote dev of cancer; therefore, not recommended as a lip balm.

https://norternstar.info
https://yuka.io
Leatha Foreman
6/29/22