Health Impact Scores - Food-to-go edition!
The start of the year brings a rise in health-conscious food choices, with more consumers seeking out convenient food-to-go options. With health-focused product launches hitting the shelves left, right, and centre, 2025 certainly hasn't been in short supply. As healthy eating becomes a top priority, we’re witnessing a true revolution in health-focused food-to-go.
As a brand focused on plant-powered goodness, we’ve been transparent about our mission to revolutionise the ultra-processed food market since day one. Health impact scores have officially entered the chat, giving us the opportunity to take a deep dive into the food-to-go market landscape, one scan at a time!
What are health impact scores and why should they matter?
To give you a brief overview… ‘Health impact scores are ratings that reflect the nutritional quality of a food product, based on the ingredients used and their overall health benefits. The Yuka app, for instance, assigns scores from 0 to 100 based on factors such as the presence of additives, sugar content, fat levels, and overall nutrient density’. We’ve been using the app Yuka for a couple of months now and we’re obsessed with the intel! An independent app that allows users to scan food, drink, and even cosmetic barcodes to get an in-depth look at their nutritional quality and environmental impact. The best part? Brands can’t pay for a better score, so the results are completely unbiased and transparent!
Health impact scores (0-100) UK food-to-go salads.
Yuka’s key Criteria:
Yuka evaluates products based on three key benchmarks:
60% - Nutritional Quality (focusing on factors like sugar, fats, calories, etc.)
30% - Additives Present (we’re all about keeping things natural!)
10% - Bonus for Organic Ingredients (because the more natural, the better!)
We’re thrilled to announce that our salads have scored "excellent" across the board, ranking well above the industry average. This reflects our unwavering commitment to deliver authentic, fresh food, because food should fuel your body and elevate you every day. We believe in the power of natural ingredients, proud to offer meals that are as good for your health as they are for the planet. By focusing on high-quality, nutritious ingredients, we’re changing the game in the food-to-go market and helping consumers make better, more informed choices.
However, many of the meals, despite having appealing labels and claims, fell short in terms of health impact scores due to high sugar, additives and calorie scores. Take Glo’s pulled beef and onion salad as an example, scoring 21 and labelled ‘bad’ due to its high salt content, risky additives and calorific sauce. Although promoted as a healthy option, this salad may help you meet your protein intake, but it could leave you feeling bloated, dehydrated, and sluggish.
If we've learned anything from our time in food-to-go, it's that most consumers take a chance when choosing a meal deal. Some stick to their usual, while others opt for something more adventurous, but it’s almost always an impulsive purchase. For those taking a gamble, drawn in by flashy claims, we can’t help but feel let down when we choose something marketed as nourishing, only to find it falls short. The next time you're considering your meal deal, think of it as a ‘try before you buy’ situation and check for a score card to avoid the post-lunch slump before it hits. Yuka even suggests healthier, less processed options for those that don’t make the cut.
In a world full of ultra-processed options, it's easy to overlook what's in our food. But small choices, like opting for a salad free of artificial additives and packed with real, fresh ingredients, can make a significant difference in how we feel daily. By using apps like Yuka, we’re empowering consumers to make informed decisions about their health and the environment, one scan at a time. Food should be more than just a way to fill you up; it should nourish, energise, and support your wellbeing. So, next time you're in store or grabbing lunch on the go, take a moment to check the Yuka score! Your body (and the planet) will thank you!