INDIA: In a quest to empower consumers to make healthier food choices, Xume, India’s pioneering scoring and recommendation system, introduces a groundbreaking grocery-scoring system. Founded by Akshaye Jalan and backed by education veteran Aakash Chaudhary, Xume aims to transform the way people perceive and consume packaged foods.
Unveiling the Unhealthy Reality in Packaged Foods
According to a November study by the George Institute of Global Health at Oxford, packaged foods produced and sold in India rank among the unhealthiest globally. Analyzing over four lakh products across 12 countries, including China, Canada, the US, and the UK, the study sounded an alarm on the nutritional content of commonly consumed items. Akshaye Jalan, Founder and CEO of Xume, remarks, “It is an alarming statistic. We have grown up eating our favorite chips and biscuits out of a packet. But to mistake health for nostalgia can be dangerous.”
Xume: Your Personal Nutrition Guide
Based in Mumbai, Xume positions itself as India’s first scoring and recommendation system. Launched in August with an initial investment from Aakash Chaudhary, Co-founder of Aakash Educational Services, Xume utilizes artificial intelligence to evaluate over one lakh products, 10,000 ingredients, and more than 3,500 brands. Users can simply scan the barcode of a packaged food item using the Xume app to access detailed nutritional information, including a health score out of 100.
The Healthier, the Better
Xume’s scoring system rates products based on over 60 health parameters, encompassing factors such as sugar content, trans fat, and preservatives. The higher the score, the healthier the food. “With Xume, we wish to make it easier for consumers to know what they’re consuming,” explains Jalan. Much like TripAdvisor for travel or IMDB for movies, Xume aspires to be the go-to platform for making nourishing eating choices.
From Personal Tragedy to a Global Solution
The inspiration behind Xume stems from a personal tragedy in Jalan’s life. His father, a fit sportsperson, suffered a heart attack in 2015. The incident prompted Jalan to delve into the nutritional aspects of everyday meals. Eight years of research and development later, Xume is now equipped with a comprehensive database, drawing information from 23 regulatory bodies globally, including India’s FSSAI, the US FDA, and Europe’s FDA.
Simple Scan, Smart Choices
Xume’s user-friendly app, available on both Android and iOS devices, allows consumers to make informed choices effortlessly. By scanning a product’s barcode, users gain access to ingredient details and a personalized health score. In case of a low score, Xume provides healthier alternatives under the ‘recommended for you’ tab.
Looking Ahead
Acknowledging the rapid evolution of the food industry, Jalan expresses the company’s dedication to expanding its portfolio rapidly. With new products hitting shelves daily, Xume aims to stay at the forefront of helping consumers navigate the dynamic landscape of packaged foods.
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