Scanning the barcode

Have any of you noticed that when you scan food the calories are higher than what the label says? Which one is correct? I bought a broccoli and cheddar soup from Costco and I saw it only had 230 calories per serving, but then when I scanned it it showed 280!!! If mfp is correct then I'm going to have to scan before I buy.

Replies

  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    I've not noticed a difference yet and I use it all the time. Are you sure your 3 isn't an 8 on the package?
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    entries on mfp are user created and can often be wrong. even on scanned items. even verified entries can be off. you can either enter your own entries with the correct info,or if on a computer you can usually edit the entry.
  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
    The entries can be edited by users and perhaps different countries have different nutritional info (ingredients change, etc) so maybe that's why it changed. You can edit it though.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    The entries can be edited by users and perhaps different countries have different nutritional info (ingredients change, etc) so maybe that's why it changed. You can edit it though.

    yeah some countries can have different nutrition(canada and the US are two of them that vary). also ingredients change and so do calorie counts on a lot of food items over times. so some may be old entries. just cross reference the package with the entry,if its wrong see if there is another entry that is correct. it can be a pain but once its in your diary list in makes it easier
  • CyberTone
    CyberTone Posts: 7,337 Member
    The barcode number on a food package does not contain nutrition information, it is just a universal product code (UPC) number registered to the manufacturer or distributor. All of the macro- and micronutrient information associated with that barcode number was entered into the MFP Food Database by other MFP users or staff; then a user associated that UPC number with a MFP Food Database record. The UPC number can be associated with the wrong MFP Food Database record, or the MFP Food Database record could be inaccurate.

    You should check the MFP nutrition information associated with that UPC number every time you scan a new barcode to enter a food item into your Food Diary; plus you should occasionally recheck that an item you have used in the past is still correct, because another user could have edited the MFP Food Database record since the last time you used it.

    You can use the USDA National Nutrient Database to verify the nutrient information for many whole foods, such as meats, poultry, vegetables, fruits, dairy, nuts, herbs, spices, etc., plus some restaurant and US/Canadian food products.

    For instructions on how to edit an incorrect food item in the MFP Food Database that is not Verified, or re-associate a barcode with the correct food item, please see these articles on the MFP Help/FAQ pages...

    https://myfitnesspal.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/13980-some-food-information-in-the-database-is-inaccurate-can-i-edit-it-

    https://myfitnesspal.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/391249-how-do-i-edit-or-change-the-item-found-by-a-barcode-scan-

    In order to have MFP correct information in a Verified food item, you must send the requested changes to Customer Support on the MFP Help/FAQ pages via Or Email Us.
  • ConnieT1030
    ConnieT1030 Posts: 894 Member
    edited November 2016
    When i started ( a month i guess) i thought the UPC went directly to the manufacturer for nutrition stats! O.o Then i saw one where I realized the calories didnt match the package, and checked others and saw other variances, and realized I have to be picky about what it selects with the code. Some days i get pretty annoyed at other users =P But I think its not actually them, except when its way off, because manufacturers change recipes sometimes, have different versions for different regions and/or countries, and sometimes its difference in varieties either I or them didnt pay attention to. Go by the package nutrition and not the entry, and when looking for raw/fresh food, try to find usda entries (or the correct one for the country youre in). I need to read that stuff myself on correcting entries because i havent figured that out yet, except I read it can only be done on the desktop. Hate to say it, but i google the info sometimes and often find more accurate info on other weightloss site's databases. :(
  • CarolF11
    CarolF11 Posts: 67 Member
    johunt615 wrote: »
    I've not noticed a difference yet and I use it all the time. Are you sure your 3 isn't an 8 on the package?

    I'm sure
  • CarolF11
    CarolF11 Posts: 67 Member
    Thanks everyone!