SOI · INFORMATION

Data & scoring

App database 1.0 · Source downloaded November 11, 2026

Soi’s score is a summary of the additives identified, using its bundled database. It is not a nutrition score, medical conclusion or certification from EFSA, FDA or Open Food Facts.

Open additive data

The additive database comes from Open Food Facts, under the Open Database License (ODbL 1.0). Soi adds Vietnamese names, warning flags and classification mappings. The modified database is published under the same licence so you can inspect and reuse it.

• Modified app database — additives.json
• Original Open Food Facts taxonomy used
• Database build script and mappings
• Upstream source and updates on GitHub

Four attention levels

• Limit: the source table records acceptable daily intake exceedances at average consumption for at least one group; also includes the six colours with EU child-warning requirements and E171, not authorised as an EU food additive since 2022.
• Caution: the table records exceedances among high consumers.
• Lower attention: the cited intake assessment records no groups exceeding the acceptable intake.
• Grey — no assessment in this table: intake assessment information is missing; it does not mean safe or harmful.

A subtype may inherit the level of its parent additive. Each substance’s details show the assessment year and source link where available.

How the 0–100 score works

Start at 100. Deduct 15 per limit-group additive, 7 per caution-group additive and 2 per other additive. The total deduction for the other groups is capped at 10. The score cannot fall below 0. The bands are: 80–100 Looks okay; 60–79 Some concerns; 40–59 Consider carefully; below 40 Limit. This summary rule is designed by Soi, not an EFSA scoring system.

When no additives are identified, the app does not display a score of 100. Image recognition may miss or misread text; check the original label.

What the score cannot tell you

It does not assess sugar, salt, fat, overall nutrition, additive concentrations or how much you eat. Finding a substance on a label alone does not show that you exceed an acceptable intake. Dietary suitability can depend on ingredient sources and manufacturing; Soi does not provide an absolute confirmation.

Some assessments may be outdated. For example, the sorbates group still references 2015 data, while EFSA published a follow-up in 2019. The app links the newer assessment in the relevant details. Do not use Soi for diagnosis, treatment, managing a medical diet or confirming the absence of an allergen.

Sources for ingredient functions

• FDA — Types of Food Ingredients
• European Commission — Food additive rules
• EFSA — Acceptable daily intake
• EFSA — Sorbates follow-up evaluation, 2019

Found a data issue? Send the additive code and supporting source to mrtinanpha@gmail.com.