Nutrition and wellness app Simple has unveiled NutriScanner, a new smart camera-based app that can scan restaurant menus worldwide and provide immediate insights into the nutritional value of food items.

The new app will assist individuals in making informed dietary choices by offering instant visibility into the nutritional content of meals while dining out.

NutriScanner utilises artificial intelligence to identify menu text and employs large language models and semantic search to assess and score meals from its food database.

It will search through the hundreds of thousands of items within the food database to recreate each meal and calculate its nutrition score.

NutriScanner will allow users to make proactive and informed food selections, enhancing their control over dietary choices.

Simple chief nutrition officer Ro Huntriss said: “January is an exciting time for folks looking to kick off the year with healthy eating, but it can be a challenge to stay committed or fully enjoy social outings when trying to establish a routine.

“Sometimes people avoid eating out, and instead stay home to better control what they eat. At Simple, we understand that unfair pressure is no way to establish realistic and sustainable healthy eating goals.

“With our new NutriScanner feature, Simple users will have instant visibility on the nutrition of their food options, giving them the information they need to make health-conscious decisions while still enjoying the fun of dining out.”

In 2023, Simple launched its Nutrition Scores system to evaluate the nutritional value of logged meals.

It calculates a daily average score, aiding members in maintaining a healthy diet.

The scores - Low, Fair, Good and Optimal - are based on an algorithm that accounts for protein, saturated fat, fibre, hidden ingredients and calorie density.

Developed by Simple's science team, they offer members a clear understanding of their food's quality and provide tips on improving nutritional value without judgment.