FoodSense

Barcode Scanner & Nutrition Analyzer

"Know what's in your food, instantly."

A Java desktop application that scans product barcodes and instantly displays comprehensive nutrition information, ingredients, and Nutri-Score ratings to help you make informed food choices.

Features

• 📷 Live Webcam Scanning - Real-time barcode detection using your camera
• ⌨️ Manual Barcode Entry - Type or paste barcodes for quick searches
• 📊 Nutrition Facts Display - Auto-generated grid showing all nutritional values
• 🏷️ Nutri-Score Visualization - Color-coded health ratings (A-E)
• 🖼️ Product Images - Visual product identification
• 📝 Ingredients List - Full ingredient breakdown for each product

Tech Stack

Core

• Java 25 - Programming language
• Java Swing - Desktop GUI framework
• Maven - Build automation

Libraries

• JavaCV (OpenCV) - Computer vision and webcam access
• ZXing - Barcode decoding library
• Gson - JSON parsing

APIs & Services

• Open Food Facts API - Product database and nutrition information

Prerequisites

• JDK 25 or higher
• Maven 3.9+
• Internet connection (for API access)
• Webcam (optional, for live scanning)

Getting Started

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/<your-username>/FoodSense.git
cd FoodSense

2. Build the Project

mvn clean package

This will download all dependencies including:

• JavaCV platform libraries (OpenCV bindings)
• ZXing barcode reader
• Gson JSON parser

3. Run the Application

Option A: Interactive Swing GUI

mvn compile exec:java -Dexec.mainClass="com.foodsense.FoodSense"

Option B: Headless CLI Barcode Search

mvn compile exec:java -Dexec.mainClass="com.foodsense.FoodSense" -Dexec.args="-b 0049000006346"

Option C: Custom Host Configuration

Default host is world.openfoodfacts.org. Override host via System Property or Environment Variable:

# System Property override:
mvn compile exec:java -Dexec.mainClass="com.foodsense.FoodSense" -Dfoodsense.host="staging.openfoodfacts.org" -Dexec.args="-b 0049000006346"
# Environment Variable override:
FOODSENSE_HOST=world.openfoodfacts.org java -cp target/classes:$(mvn dependency:build-classpath | grep -v '\[INFO\]' | tr '\n' ':') com.foodsense.FoodSense -b 0049000006346

Usage

1. Scan with Camera: Click "Scan w/ Camera" button to open webcam window

   • Point your camera at a product barcode
   • The app will automatically detect and search when found

2. Manual Search: Enter a barcode number in the text field and click "Search"

3. CLI Mode: Run com.foodsense.FoodSense -b <barcode> for instant terminal output without opening a GUI window.

Project Structure

src/main/java/com/foodsense/
├── FoodSense.java          # Main entry point (CLI springboard + GUI launcher)
├── ProductApiClient.java   # Open Food Facts API client & host resolver (.org default)
├── FoodSenseGUI.java       # Swing desktop GUI renderer
├── VideoProcessor.java     # Webcam capture and barcode detection
├── Product.java            # Product data model
├── Nutriments.java         # Nutrition data model
└── ApiResponse.java        # API response wrapper

Troubleshooting

Camera Issues

• Ensure no other applications are using the camera
• Check system permissions for camera access
• Verify JavaCV native libraries are compatible with your OS

Barcode Not Detected

• Ensure good lighting and the barcode is in focus
• Try adjusting distance from camera
• Make sure barcode is fully visible in frame

Product Not Found

• Verify internet connection
• Product may not exist in Open Food Facts database
• Try a different barcode

Build Errors

• Confirm JDK 25 is installed: java -version
• Update IDE project SDK settings
• Run mvn clean and rebuild

Security & Privacy

• All barcode scanning happens locally on your device
• Only barcode numbers are sent to the Open Food Facts API
• No personal data or video footage is stored or transmitted
• Webcam access requires explicit user activation