Frequently Asked Questions

Just open WhatsApp and send "Hi" to +91 90352 17511. The bot will guide you through choosing your language and setting up your allergy profile. Then you're ready to scan — send a barcode photo or type the barcode number. No app download, no account creation needed.

No. Dtoxify works entirely inside WhatsApp, which you already have. There's nothing to install, no storage space needed, and no updates to manage. Just message the bot like you would a friend.

Your first 5 scans are completely free — no strings attached. After that, each scan costs 3 points. You start with 25 points on signup, and there are many ways to earn more: share your email (+200 points if you're among the first 5,000 users, +50 after that), refer a friend (+50 when they join), contribute unknown products (+50), and build daily scan streaks (+5 per day, +30 bonus every 7 days). Active users who share and contribute can scan indefinitely for free.

Dtoxify supports 16 languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish. You choose your language when you first message the bot, and all scan results, explanations, and tips are delivered in your chosen language. You can change your language anytime by typing "language".

There are three ways to scan: send a photo of the product's barcode (the bot uses multi-pass barcode detection), type the barcode number directly (the numbers printed below the barcode), or send a photo of the ingredients label if no barcode is available (the bot will use OCR to read and analyze the ingredients).

The Dtoxify Score is a number from 0 to 100 that combines three evidence-based factors: the product's Nutri-Score (nutritional quality, A-E), its NOVA group (processing level, 1-4), and the number and severity of flagged additives. A higher score means a healthier product. Scores above 70 are generally good, 50-69 are moderate, and below 50 warrant caution.

Nutri-Score is a front-of-pack nutrition label developed by French researchers and adopted across Europe. It rates products from A (best nutritional quality) to E (worst) based on calories, sugar, salt, saturated fat, protein, fiber, and fruit/vegetable content. NOVA is a food classification system from the University of São Paulo that groups products by processing level: NOVA 1 (unprocessed/minimally processed), NOVA 2 (processed culinary ingredients), NOVA 3 (processed foods), and NOVA 4 (ultra-processed food products).

If the barcode isn't found, the bot will ask you to send a photo of the ingredients label. It uses OCR (optical character recognition) to read the text and then analyzes the ingredients using AI. You'll get a preliminary analysis immediately. You can also contribute the product to the Open Food Facts database, earning 50 points and helping others who scan the same product in the future.

Dtoxify uses data from established regulatory bodies (WHO/JECFA, EFSA) and the world's largest open food database (Open Food Facts, 4M+ products). The accuracy depends on the quality of the underlying data. Scores are educational tools, not medical diagnoses. Product formulations can change, and regional variations exist. Always check ingredient labels if you have severe allergies.

You start with 25 points on signup (enough for 5 free scans since each scan costs 3 points after your first 5 free ones). You earn points by sharing your email (+200 if you're among the first 5,000 users, +50 after), referring friends (+50 when they join, +25 for sharing), contributing unknown products (+50), and maintaining daily scan streaks (+5 per day, +30 every 7th day). Type "points" in the bot to see your balance and earning options.

Currently, Dtoxify uses a soft approach — if you're low on points, you'll see a friendly reminder with tips on how to earn more, but your scan will still complete. We believe in never blocking access to health information. As the service grows, the points model may evolve.

Type "refer" in the bot to get your unique referral link. Share it in your WhatsApp groups, with family, or on social media. When someone joins through your link, you get +50 points and they get +25 bonus points on top of their normal 25 signup points. Both parties benefit — health is better as a shared journey.

We collect the minimum necessary: your phone number (automatic via WhatsApp), language preference, allergy profile (if you set one), scan history, and email (only if you choose to share it for points). Product photos are processed for barcode detection and not stored permanently. See our full Privacy Policy for complete details.

Yes. Message "delete my data" on WhatsApp and we'll remove all your personal data within 30 days. You can also type "clear allergies" to remove just your allergy profile at any time. We respect your right to data deletion under GDPR, India's DPDPA, and CCPA.

No. Dtoxify provides educational information based on publicly available regulatory data. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional for decisions about your health, diet, or medical conditions.

Dtoxify can scan products from over 150 countries. Our primary database (Open Food Facts) has the strongest coverage in Europe (especially France, Germany, UK, and Scandinavia) and growing coverage in India, the US, and Middle East. If a product isn't found, you can contribute it to help build coverage in your region.

Currently, Dtoxify focuses on food and beverage products with barcodes. This includes packaged foods, drinks, snacks, cereals, cooking oils, dairy products, and more. We're working on expanding to cosmetics and personal care products in future updates.