An app that allows users to scan item barcodes and then determines their safety (reference FDA data etc.)

Summary: The project addresses the problem of regulatory sluggishness and corruption leading to unregulated harmful substances in food and cosmetics. It offers an app that scans items for safety compliance against multiple databases, providing instant alerts for banned substances. By linking to informative resources and potential extensions like allergy warnings and sustainability tracking, it empowers users to make informed consumption choices efficiently.

Problem statement

Some regulatory authorities are prone to lobbying, corruption, and general lack of speed when it comes to passing laws that prohibit the use of harmful substances in food. In cosmetics alone, the EU has banned or restricted more than 1,300 chemicals while the US has outlawed or curbed just 11. (source)

Project proposal

An app that allows users to scan items, and ensure that they aren't harmful.

Checks the item against different databases, such as FDA, FSSAI, and the EU database.
It warns the user if the food contains substances that are banned by some authority
Potentially linking the research/article that explains any issues with the food.

This could be extended to include allergy warnings, or maybe tracking sustainable business practises. The basic idea is to make it really easy for the user to self-govern their consumption.

Source of Idea:

I recently read about the no poo movement, and realized that government regulations in some countries is significantly looser than others when it comes to controlled substances. It's incredibly hard to govern my consumption and search up every single item I consume, an app like this would be really helpful.

Skills Needed to Execute This Idea:

Mobile App DevelopmentDatabase ManagementRegulatory ComplianceUser Experience DesignData IntegrationAPI DevelopmentResearch SkillsContent CurationQuality AssuranceInformation SecurityUser Interface DesignProject ManagementData AnalysisMarketing Strategy

Categories:Digital ProductHealthComputer VisionNon-profit

Hours To Execute (basic)

300 hours to execute minimal version ()

Hours to Execute (full)

500 hours to execute full idea ()

Estd No of Collaborators

1-10 Collaborators ()

Financial Potential

$0–1M Potential ()

Impact Breadth

Affects 10M-100M people ()

Impact Depth

Significant Impact ()

Impact Positivity

Probably Helpful ()

Impact Duration

Impacts Lasts 1-3 Years ()

Uniqueness

Moderately Unique ()

Implementability

Very Difficult to Implement ()

Plausibility

Reasonably Sound ()

Replicability

Moderately Difficult to Replicate ()

Market Timing

Good Timing ()

Project Type

Digital Product

Project idea submitted by u/AnOpaqueBag.