Wellbot

Wellbot is a WhatsApp-based smart nutrition assistant that enables users to analyze food labels by simply sending a photo of the product packaging through the messaging app. It does not require downloading a separate mobile application, as all interactions occur within WhatsApp, making it accessible to anyone with a smartphone and an internet connection. The core function of Wellbot is to instantly decode the nutritional information printed on packaged foods. When a user forwards an image of a nutrition facts panel or ingredient list, Wellbot processes the image using optical character recognition (OCR) and then cross-references the extracted data against multiple databases, including standard food composition tables, additive lists, and allergen registries. It returns a Nutri-Score—a color-coded rating (A to E) that summarizes the overall nutritional quality of the product, similar to the front-of-pack labeling system used in several European countries. In addition to the Nutri-Score, Wellbot highlights key nutrients such as total fat, saturated fat, sugar, sodium, fiber, and protein, and flags any contents that exceed recommended daily limits. Beyond basic nutrition facts, Wellbot offers specialized features for users with dietary restrictions or health concerns. It automatically detects common allergens like milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish, and provides allergy alerts specifically tailored to the user’s pre-saved profile. Users can configure Wellbot to watch for specific ingredients, such as gluten or lactose, and the tool will highlight those in the ingredient list. For those concerned with food additives, Wellbot identifies E‑numbers and other synthetic compounds, explaining their purpose (e.g., preservatives, colorants, thickeners)