Deep Safety Scan
for packaged foods
Toxicology Radar flags a focused set of label-based risk signals—like high-mercury fish types, canned packaging exposure signals, and certain additives—then explains what triggered the alert. Not a lab test.
How Toxicology Radar works (in plain words)
1) Scan the package
Capture the front/back so Nutika can read the ingredient list and packaging cues.
2) Apply deterministic rules
We flag a limited set of high-signal patterns (certain additives, fish types, “canned/tinned”).
3) Explain what triggered it
You get a Deep Safety Scan with a severity level and a short “why” explanation.
Not a lab test
Toxicology Radar flags label-based signals and known correlations. It does not measure contaminant levels, and it cannot confirm the exact packaging chemistry or batch-specific manufacturing source of a product.
What Toxicology Radar detects today
This feature focuses on a short list of high-signal patterns that can matter in everyday grocery shopping—especially for families, pregnancy, and frequent-consumption foods.
Mercury guidance (fish)
Flags certain fish types and tuna categories based on public health guidance—especially relevant for pregnancy and children.
Canned/tinned packaging signal
Flags a BPA exposure signal when packaging text indicates canned/tinned, and notes BPA-free claims when present.
Rice-based arsenic signal
Flags certain rice-based sweeteners/flours as an inorganic arsenic caution signal, with extra kid/baby wording in child contexts.
Cocoa / dark chocolate signal
Flags a low-severity “moderation” signal for cocoa/dark chocolate products where trace heavy metals have been reported in some testing.
Additives of concern
Flags certain additive patterns in ingredient lists (e.g., Red 3, BVO, potassium bromate, titanium dioxide, BHA/BHT).
Missing label data
If the scan can’t read ingredients/packaging details, Nutika warns rather than implying “all clear.”
How to interpret “risk signals”
What we can do
- • Flag specific ingredient patterns and packaging signals
- • Explain what triggered the alert in plain language
- • Help reduce repeated exposure over time
What we can’t do
- • Measure contaminant levels (lead, arsenic, BPA, etc.)
- • Confirm packaging chemistry or batch-specific manufacturing
- • Provide medical advice or diagnose outcomes
Simple actions we recommend
Use Toxicology Radar to reduce repeated exposure over time: vary your diet, choose alternatives when a higher-severity signal appears, and follow official public health guidance for pregnancy and children.
FAQ
Why does “canned” trigger a BPA signal?
Some cans use epoxy linings that can contain BPA. Nutika treats “canned/tinned” as a packaging signal and explains it—without claiming a measurement.
What if it says “BPA-free”?
Nutika notes BPA-free claims and reduces the severity of the BPA signal, but it can’t verify lining chemistry from a label alone.
Why do tuna products differ?
Mercury levels differ by species and size. Public guidance often distinguishes “best choices” vs “good choices” vs “avoid,” especially for pregnancy and children.
Is Toxicology Radar a lab test?
No. It’s a label-based safety signal system. If you need certainty about contamination levels, rely on official advisories and product testing programs.
What if the ingredients aren’t readable?
Nutika warns when label data is insufficient so you don’t mistake “missing info” for “no risk.” Scanning the back label usually resolves this.
Sources (starting points)
- FDA: Red No. 3 revocation (food + ingested drugs) (opens in a new tab)
- FDA: Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) revocation (opens in a new tab)
- FDA/EPA: Advice about eating fish (mercury guidance) (opens in a new tab)
- FDA: “Closer to Zero” (heavy metals in baby foods) (opens in a new tab)
- EFSA: Bisphenol A (BPA) topic page (opens in a new tab)
- EFSA: Titanium dioxide genotoxicity concerns (E171) (opens in a new tab)
- IARC (InChem): Potassium bromate summary (opens in a new tab)
Last updated: January 15, 2026
Shop with safety signals in mind
Use Toxicology Radar to spot common label-based toxicology signals and make more informed choices.
Available on iPhone today. Get the app.