On the heels of the biggest nutrition conference of the calendar year, the ADA’s Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE for short), we’re keeping a close eye on two mobile apps poised to make a big difference in helping consumers regulate the right choices for their diets- before they even get to the grocery store register.

In the last few weeks, both ShopWell and Fooducate have released new (or newer versions of) mobile applications tied to robust web presences. Both apps aim to make good choices simple for people with specific dietary needs- simple enough that a quick grocery store scan will give the shopper the information they need to choose before placing an item in their cart.

Information for the grading algorithms is currently compiled only based on back-of-the-box nutritionals which are government-regulated. That means currently nothing classified as a marketing term plays in which eliminates hot-button gray areas like “organic” or “all-natural.”

While it’s safe to say both apps are still new on the scene, the earliest differences between the two appear to be the grading scale and the ability to get specific recommendations based on dietary needs (i.e. gluten intolerance or diabetes). Where Shopwell uses a numeric scale (1-100) and coordinating stoplight-esque color-coding (green for the healthiest options, red for the least), Fooducate has opted for a familiar letter-based scale. Shopwell’s edge thus far is in the ability to link ultra-specific health needs and goals to garner individual-specific advice when the app scans a product.

There’s room for multiple players to get consumers thinking about nutrition and we’re looking forward to seeing more as the space develops.