bar code question

timsnead

Anybody use the scanner much? Do you notice that the label on the jar says it's one brand, but the bar-code reader says it's another? Do you think that's because the same company makes the food and they slap a different brand on it, or do you think the mfp database generalizes from a bar code it only recognizes part of?

brandi712

I use it all the time. I have only noticed that a few times and I do believe its the same product, different brand. I notice it more with store brands. I figure as long as the nutritional info matches the product, it's all good

tayloryay

There's an option to say it's not the right product, and you can search for one that fits better. I think the userbase has to teach it a bit.

eddiesmith1

I've seen it when it gives a name brand versus say a house brand but the product is the same, i've not seen 2 different products (say apples and oranges)

timsnead

Brandi: Oh yeah, I figure a pickle is a pickle. I think it's close enough. That's my theory, too, though, I know stores put their brands on products made by other companies.

Thanks tmrw88. I'm learning the ins and outs. I'll try that.

LaurieQ55

What do you do if the bar code amounts and package label have different amounts? Which one do you normally use for calorie counting?

Lildarlinz

Yes I get this all the time
I also check the calories,fat,carbs etc because what it says when you scan the barcode can be different to the packet

I usually create a food and follow the back of the packet xx

rileysowner

LaurieQ55 wrote: »

What do you do if the bar code amounts and package label have different amounts? Which one do you normally use for calorie counting?

The package label is what I go with. With pre-made foods they can change their recipe, and that will change the nutritional information. The bar code is not some magical thing, it simply identifies the product and pulled the information out of the same user submitted database that the manual search uses. It is just quicker.

springlering62

Everything on MFP is crowdsourced, so garbage in, garbage out. A lot of entries are outdated (manufacturers changing ingredients) and a lot link to the wrong foods altogether.

We travel overseas several times a year, and shop at Lidl here in the USA. Lidl carries a lot of European imports. You wouldn’t believe some of the crazy results we get scanning barcodes.

I get incorrect info 50% of the time when scanning barcodes, so I seldom bother. It’s just more efficient to search alphabetically, then by calorie per serving, and verify a macro or two to make sure the listing is current.