Our Methodology
Transparency matters. Here is exactly how Goby AI evaluates foods, ingredients and cosmetics.
Data sources
Our nutrition and ingredient information draws on public regulatory databases (USDA FoodData Central, FDA, EFSA), manufacturer-published nutrition facts, open product databases, and peer-reviewed nutrition science. Ingredient and additive pages link directly to primary sources so you can verify the evidence yourself.
The health score
Each product receives a 0–100 score. Every product starts at 70. Sugar lowers the score by about 1.1 points per gram (up to 35), fat above 5g lowers it by 0.8 points per gram (up to 18), and sodium lowers it by 1 point per 60mg (up to 15). Protein raises it by about 1.1 points per gram (up to 18) and fiber by 2.2 points per gram (up to 16). Each additive or flagged ingredient costs 2 points, and ultra-processed products (NOVA group 4) lose a further 6. Scores of 80+ are rated excellent, 60–79 good, 40–59 moderate, 20–39 poor and below 20 avoid.
Ingredient ratings
We sort ingredients into three buckets. 'Avoid' means meaningful evidence of harm or no benefit alongside a clear downside. 'Limit' means generally permitted but worth moderating. 'Beneficial' means supported by evidence as safe or healthful. Ratings reflect current regulatory guidance and the weight of scientific evidence.
Personalization
When you set your diet and goals in the app, Goby AI adjusts its advice — for example flagging animal products for vegans or high-sugar items for people tracking weight. Personalization changes the guidance, not the underlying factual data.
Updates and corrections
Nutrition science evolves. We review our data and ratings periodically and welcome corrections. If you spot an error, email us and we will investigate and update where warranted.
Licenses and attribution
Barcode lookups for products outside our curated catalog use packaged-food data from Open Food Facts, made available under the Open Database License; product images are licensed CC BY-SA. Health scores, insights and ingredient ratings are Goby AI's own analysis.