32:I[226200,["/_next/static/immutable/chunks/3kr-xwjfkf5wv.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0evyud4cwcdba.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0arfpi10ihnae.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/336rwvxdgmujv.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0d9ebeq4ryk6-.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1f_ick5plrsk9.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/04zf6e0gik_f9.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1qp52_9ii7469.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0eqp-qf69sh3h.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/2q8lvx5mrwski.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1-k-be64zzv7b.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/01fkdjoke79py.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/445sg7gjtyfki.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1ozcronvm0cwy.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/012_9lcmc_f6g.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1uwp6nebcpe8y.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1ezzlphzrkdz_.js"],"Group"] 33:I[151082,["/_next/static/immutable/chunks/3kr-xwjfkf5wv.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0evyud4cwcdba.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0arfpi10ihnae.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/336rwvxdgmujv.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0d9ebeq4ryk6-.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1f_ick5plrsk9.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/04zf6e0gik_f9.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1qp52_9ii7469.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0eqp-qf69sh3h.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/2q8lvx5mrwski.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1-k-be64zzv7b.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/01fkdjoke79py.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/445sg7gjtyfki.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1ozcronvm0cwy.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/012_9lcmc_f6g.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1uwp6nebcpe8y.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1ezzlphzrkdz_.js"],"Breadcrumbs"] 34:I[55150,["/_next/static/immutable/chunks/3kr-xwjfkf5wv.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0evyud4cwcdba.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0arfpi10ihnae.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/336rwvxdgmujv.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0d9ebeq4ryk6-.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1f_ick5plrsk9.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/04zf6e0gik_f9.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1qp52_9ii7469.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0eqp-qf69sh3h.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/2q8lvx5mrwski.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1-k-be64zzv7b.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/01fkdjoke79py.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/445sg7gjtyfki.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1ozcronvm0cwy.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/012_9lcmc_f6g.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1uwp6nebcpe8y.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1ezzlphzrkdz_.js"],"Paper"] 35:I[693400,["/_next/static/immutable/chunks/3kr-xwjfkf5wv.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0evyud4cwcdba.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0arfpi10ihnae.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/336rwvxdgmujv.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0d9ebeq4ryk6-.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1f_ick5plrsk9.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/04zf6e0gik_f9.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1qp52_9ii7469.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0eqp-qf69sh3h.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/2q8lvx5mrwski.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1-k-be64zzv7b.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/01fkdjoke79py.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/445sg7gjtyfki.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1ozcronvm0cwy.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/012_9lcmc_f6g.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1uwp6nebcpe8y.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1ezzlphzrkdz_.js"],"MDXArticleContent",1] 36:T2b62,--- title: "Barcode Scanning Guide" description: "How to scan barcodes, understand USDA data, and troubleshoot scanning issues" category: "nutrition" lastUpdated: "2026-08-22" --- # Barcode Scanning Guide Barcode scanning is the fastest and most accurate way to log packaged foods. Point your camera at any product barcode, and Clear Mornings instantly retrieves verified nutrition information from our 1.1M+ food database. ## How to Scan a Barcode ### Method 1: Camera Scanning (Recommended) 1. **Open the Scanner** - Tap the barcode icon on your nutrition dashboard 2. **Point Your Camera** - Aim at the barcode on the product packaging 3. **Auto-Detect** - The scanner automatically recognizes and scans 4. **Review Product** - Confirm it's the correct item 5. **Adjust Servings** - Set how much you ate (0.5, 1, 2, etc.) 6. **Save** - Add to your nutrition log **Camera Tips:** - Hold phone 4-6 inches from barcode - Ensure good lighting (use flash if needed) - Keep barcode flat and parallel to camera - Avoid glare or shadows on the barcode - Try both front and back if package has multiple barcodes **Pro Tip**: Scan while you're unpacking groceries to build your favorites list. Next time you eat that food, it's one tap away! ### Method 2: Manual Barcode Entry Can't use your camera? No problem. You can type barcodes manually: 1. **Tap "Enter Barcode"** - In the scanner interface 2. **Type the Numbers** - Usually 8-14 digits under the barcode 3. **Submit** - We'll look it up in our database 4. **Review** - Same flow as camera scanning **When to use manual entry:** - Camera permission denied - Poor lighting conditions - Damaged or unreadable barcode - Product doesn't have a scannable code - Faster if you already know the barcode ## Understanding Scan Results After scanning, you'll see detailed product information: ### Product Card Layout **Top Section:** - Product name and brand - Product image (if available) - Serving size information - Verification badge **Nutrition Facts:** - Calories per serving - Protein per serving - Carbohydrates per serving - Fat per serving - Fiber, sugar, sodium (expanded view) **Bottom Actions:** - Adjust serving size (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, etc.) - Add to favorites - View full nutrition label - Report incorrect data Always check the serving size! A bag of chips might be "2.5 servings" but you ate the whole thing. ## Verified USDA Data vs User Submissions Not all food data is created equal. Clear Mornings uses a tiered trust system: ### USDA Verified (Green Badge) **What it means:** - Data sourced from USDA FoodData Central - Government-verified nutrition analysis - Regular updates for accuracy - Most reliable source **Example products:** - Raw ingredients (chicken, rice, vegetables) - Generic brands (store-brand items) - Common prepared foods **Trust level:** 95-100% accurate ### Brand Verified (Blue Badge) **What it means:** - Official data from manufacturer - Submitted via OpenFoodFacts API - Product-specific (exact SKU match) - Updated when brands reformulate **Example products:** - Name-brand packaged goods - Restaurant menu items - Proprietary recipes **Trust level:** 90-95% accurate ### Community Submitted (Gray Badge) **What it means:** - Added by other users - Not independently verified - May have errors or outdated info - Flagged if multiple incorrect reports **Example products:** - Local restaurant items - Small brand products - International imports - Custom foods **Trust level:** 70-85% accurate Whenever possible, choose USDA Verified items. They're tested in labs, not estimated from labels. ## Editing Serving Sizes The default serving size might not match what you actually ate. Here's how to adjust: ### Understanding Serving Size Units Products use different serving measurements: **Weight-based (most accurate):** - Grams (g) - "28g per serving" - Ounces (oz) - "1 oz per serving" **Volume-based:** - Cups - "1 cup per serving" - Tablespoons - "2 tbsp per serving" - Fluid ounces (fl oz) - "8 fl oz per serving" **Count-based:** - Pieces - "2 cookies per serving" - Slices - "1 slice per serving" - Items - "1 bar per serving" ### Adjusting Servings **Using the slider:** 1. Tap the serving amount 2. Slide left to decrease (0.5, 0.75) 3. Slide right to increase (1.5, 2, 3) 4. Nutrition updates in real-time **Quick presets:** - 0.5x - "Half serving" - 1x - "One serving" (default) - 2x - "Two servings" - 3x - "Three servings" **Custom amounts:** - Tap "Custom" to enter any decimal (1.33, 2.7, etc.) - Useful for split portions ### Example: Serving Size Math **Product:** Peanut butter **Label says:** 2 tbsp per serving = 8g protein **You ate:** 4 tbsp (double serving) **Your log should show:** - Servings: 2.0 - Protein: 16g (8g × 2) - Calories: Doubled The app calculates nutrition × servings automatically. Pay attention to "servings per container"! A 20 oz soda might be "2.5 servings" but most people drink the whole bottle. ## What to Do When Barcode Isn't Found Not every product is in our database (yet). Here's what to do: ### Option 1: Try Manual Search 1. **Tap "Search Instead"** 2. **Type the product name** - Be specific ("Chobani Greek Yogurt Plain") 3. **Filter by brand** - Narrow results 4. **Find similar product** - Same brand, different size often works ### Option 2: Search by Food Name Look for the generic version: **Instead of:** "Trader Joe's Organic Free Range Eggs" **Search for:** "Egg, whole, raw" USDA has generic versions of almost everything. ### Option 3: Submit the Product Help build our database: 1. **Tap "Product Not Found"** 2. **Upload photo of nutrition label** 3. **Enter barcode and product name** 4. **Our team reviews** - Usually added within 24-48 hours 5. **Get notified** - When the product is available **Members get priority review** - Products added faster. ### Option 4: Create Custom Food (Member) For truly unique items: 1. **Tap "Create Custom Food"** 2. **Enter nutrition info** - From the label 3. **Save to your library** - Reuse anytime 4. **Share with community** (optional) Custom foods are private by default but can be shared to help others. **Pro Tip**: If you eat at local restaurants often, create custom foods for your go-to meals. Saves time on future logs! ## Scan Limits by Tier To keep our database high-quality and prevent abuse, we limit daily scans: ### Free - **5 scans per day** - Resets at UTC midnight - Perfect for occasional tracking - Unlimited manual entry still available **Use wisely:** - Scan new products you haven't tried - Use favorites for repeat items - Manual search doesn't count toward limit ### Member ($3.99/month) - **Unlimited scans** - Custom food creation - Priority product submissions - Voice logging, up to 100 logs a day Scan limits reset daily at UTC midnight, not at midnight in your local timezone. If you're in the Americas, that means your count resets during the evening rather than overnight. Check your scan count in the scanner interface. ## Advanced Scanning Features ### Favorites & Quick Access **Marking Favorites:** 1. After scanning, tap the star icon 2. Product saves to "Favorites" tab 3. Next time, tap to add instantly (no re-scan) **When to favorite:** - Foods you eat multiple times per week - Your go-to protein sources - Daily vitamins or supplements - Meal prep staples **Managing favorites:** - Swipe to remove - Reorder by drag-and-drop - Organize into folders (Member) ### Scan History Every scan is saved for 90 days: **View your history:** - Tap "History" in scanner - See all scanned products - Filter by date, category, or brand - Re-add with one tap **Use history to:** - Track what products you tried - Find that thing you scanned last week - Spot nutrition patterns - Export for dietary analysis (Member) ### Meal Templates Save complete meals for one-tap logging: **Creating a template:** 1. Scan all items in your meal 2. Tap "Save as Template" 3. Name it ("Post-Workout Meal") 4. Next time, tap template to add all items **Great for:** - Meal prep (same lunch every day) - Pre/post workout nutrition - Morning supplement routine - Consistent dinner recipes ## Barcode Types Supported Clear Mornings recognizes multiple barcode formats: **Supported formats:** - UPC-A (12 digits) - Most US products - UPC-E (8 digits) - Compact UPC - EAN-13 (13 digits) - International standard - EAN-8 (8 digits) - Small products - Code 128 - Some supplements **Not currently supported:** - QR codes (coming soon!) - Data Matrix codes - PDF417 barcodes If your product has a non-standard barcode, use manual search or submit via photo. ## Privacy & Data **What we track:** - Products you've scanned - When you scanned them - How many servings you logged **What we DON'T track:** - Where you purchased items - Camera/photo data - Biometric information - Shopping habits for ads All scan data is encrypted and only visible to you. We never sell scan data to third parties. **Database sources:** - OpenFoodFacts (open source) - USDA FoodData Central (public domain) - Official brand APIs (with permission) - User submissions (verified before public) ## Troubleshooting ### Scanner Won't Open **Check permissions:** - iOS: Settings → Clear Mornings → Camera (Enable) - Android: Settings → Apps → Clear Mornings → Permissions → Camera (Allow) **Try:** - Restart the app - Update to latest version - Clear app cache ### Barcode Won't Scan **Common issues:** - Barcode damaged or wrinkled → Try manual entry - Poor lighting → Use flash or move near window - Camera dirty → Wipe lens with soft cloth - Moving too fast → Hold steady for 2 seconds ### Wrong Product Appears **If scan returns incorrect item:** 1. Tap "Report Issue" 2. Select "Wrong product" 3. Upload photo of correct label 4. We'll fix within 24 hours **Why this happens:** - Barcode reused by different product - Regional variations (US vs UK) - Reformulation with same barcode - Database error ### Nutrition Looks Wrong **If protein/calories seem off:** 1. Check serving size (per 100g vs per package) 2. Verify you're looking at correct variant (low-fat vs regular) 3. Compare to physical label 4. Report if confirmed error Some products have multiple listings - choose the one matching your exact package. **Pro Tip**: When in doubt, trust the physical nutrition label on YOUR package. Database info can lag behind reformulations. ## Next Steps - **[Voice Logging Guide](/kb/nutrition/voice-logging-guide)** - Log meals with your voice - **[Protein Tracking Tips](/kb/nutrition/protein-tracking-tips)** - Maximize your protein intake - **[Trinity System Guide](/kb/getting-started/welcome-to-clear-morning)** - Understand the nutrition framework ## Need Help? Can't find what you're looking for? Check our [FAQ](/faq) or [contact support](/support). 26:["$","$L18",null,{"size":"md","py":"xl","children":["$","$L1a",null,{"gap":"xl","children":[["$","$L32",null,{"children":["$","$L1d",null,{"href":"/en/kb/nutrition","underline":"never","style":{"display":"flex","alignItems":"center","gap":4},"children":[["$","svg",null,{"ref":"$undefined","xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg","width":18,"height":18,"viewBox":"0 0 24 24","fill":"none","stroke":"currentColor","strokeWidth":2,"strokeLinecap":"round","strokeLinejoin":"round","className":"tabler-icon tabler-icon-arrow-left ","children":["$undefined",["$","path","svg-0",{"d":"M5 12l14 0"}],["$","path","svg-1",{"d":"M5 12l6 6"}],["$","path","svg-2",{"d":"M5 12l6 -6"}],"$undefined"]}],["$","$L1c",null,{"size":"sm","children":["Back to ","Nutrition"]}]]}]}],["$","$L33",null,{"children":[["$","$L1d",null,{"href":"/en/kb","children":"Knowledge Base"}],["$","$L1d",null,{"href":"/en/kb/nutrition","children":"Nutrition"}],["$","$L1c",null,{"children":"Barcode Scanning Guide"}]]}],["$","$L34",null,{"p":"xl","radius":"md","withBorder":true,"children":["$","$L35",null,{"rawContent":"$36","locale":"en"}]}],"$L37"]}]}]