IngrediLens: questions and answers
In short: IngrediLens reads food and cosmetic ingredient lists with the iPhone camera, a photo, typed text or a barcode, and highlights the allergens you choose plus "may contain" statements. It works in six languages, needs no account and keeps your data on the device. The free tier has 2 filters; Premium is monthly (3-day trial) or yearly (7-day trial), with prices that vary by country.
This page answers the questions people ask most often about IngrediLens, in plain words, including what it cannot do.
How does IngrediLens work?
You choose the allergens and ingredients you want to watch for, such as milk, gluten, sesame or a custom ingredient. Then you check a product in one of four ways:
- Camera: point your iPhone at the ingredient list and the app reads the text.
- Photo: pick a picture of a label from your photo library.
- Typed text: type or paste an ingredient list.
- Barcode: the app can look the product up in Open Food Facts (food) or Open Beauty Facts (cosmetics), two open, volunteer-built databases. It asks before sending the barcode.
IngrediLens then highlights words that match your filters, including many other names (for example casein and whey for milk), and shows "may contain" statements separately from the ingredients. You see which words matched, so you can check them on the pack. See how to read allergen labels.
Does it work for cosmetics?
Yes. It reads cosmetic ingredient lists (INCI names) as well as food labels. See reading cosmetic ingredient lists.
Which languages does it support?
The app interface and label reading cover English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French and Italian. Labels in other languages may not be read correctly. The free restaurant allergy card is available in 15 languages, including Dutch, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai. See travelling with an allergy card.
What happens to my data?
- There is no account and no sign-up.
- Your filters, family profiles and history are stored on your device only. They are not uploaded to our servers; we do not run servers that receive them.
- There is no advertising and no analytics profile.
- Text recognition runs on the device.
- The only thing that leaves the device is a barcode number when you choose a barcode lookup, sent to Open Food Facts or Open Beauty Facts.
- In Profile you can export your data or delete all of it. Deleting the app removes it too.
Does it work offline?
Reading a label with the camera, a photo or typed text does not need a connection, which helps in shops with poor signal. Looking up a new barcode needs the internet. Products you looked up before can be answered from the copy kept on your device.
What is free and what is Premium?
Free: label scanning for food and cosmetics, up to 2 filters, "may contain" detection and the restaurant allergy card.
Premium adds:
- unlimited filters
- family profiles, so each person has their own allergens
- child mode, a simple result screen for children
- a safe list of products you have checked
- school or caregiver card and doctor summary PDFs
- a reaction diary to share with your doctor (see keeping a reaction diary)
There is a monthly plan with a 3-day free trial and a yearly plan with a 7-day free trial (when your Apple Account is eligible for a trial). Prices vary by country and are shown in the app before you subscribe. Purchases can be restored on a new device from Profile.
How accurate is it?
IngrediLens is a second pair of eyes, not a guarantee. It can miss things because:
- curved, glossy, wrinkled or very small print can be misread;
- a database entry may be incomplete or describe an older recipe;
- labels in languages it does not read may be missed;
- an unusual or new ingredient name may not be in its list.
It never calls a product "safe" for you, and it is not a medical device. Always read the pack, and follow your allergist's advice on "may contain" warnings. If someone shows signs of anaphylaxis, use their adrenaline auto-injector and call emergency services.
How do I cancel or manage my subscription?
Open Profile in IngrediLens and tap Manage subscription. You can also go to Settings on your iPhone, tap your name, then Subscriptions. To avoid being charged, cancel at least 24 hours before the free trial or current period ends. Deleting the app does not cancel a subscription.
Which devices does it run on?
IngrediLens is for iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 or later.
Where can I learn more?
Our free guides cover the 14 EU allergens, what "may contain" means and how to choose an allergen app.
Check labels with IngrediLens
Point your iPhone camera at an ingredient list and IngrediLens highlights the allergens you chose and “may contain” statements. Free to start, no account, and your data stays on your device.
Download on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Does IngrediLens need an account?
No. There is no sign-up. Your filters, profiles and scan history are stored on your device.
Does IngrediLens work offline?
Reading a label with the camera, a photo or typed text works on the device. Looking up a new barcode needs an internet connection; products you looked up before can be answered from the copy on your device.
How much does Premium cost?
Prices depend on your country and are shown in the app and on the App Store before you subscribe. There is a monthly plan with a 3-day free trial and a yearly plan with a 7-day free trial, for eligible Apple Accounts.
How do I cancel?
In IngrediLens, open Profile and tap Manage subscription, or on iPhone go to Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions. Cancel at least 24 hours before the trial or period ends to avoid the next charge.
Can IngrediLens tell me a product is safe?
No. It highlights matches for the filters you chose, but it can miss things and is not a medical device. Always read the pack and follow your allergist's advice.
