Potential App Idea?

[smittywerb8]

Hey everyone! I'm a User Experience Designer who was diagnosed with Celiac back in 2012, and I decided to take on an app idea that could hopefully help out this community, and anyone with a food allergy/intolerance in general.

I was thinking I can create something that helps people find specific food items that they may not know are around them (or if not around them, they can order online).

For example: I've gotten suggestions in the past, saying that a certain brand of bread was really tasty, but I wasn't sure what supermarket around me sells it. Say you wanted to find some frozen gluten free dumplings, you'd search that in the app and find that maybe the supermarket closest to you doesn't have them, but the one 10 minutes away carries it. Or maybe someone on this forum suggested a good gluten free beer and you'd like to quickly see if any store around you carries that brand. 

Eating out is another good topic but I want to stay away from that for now: Find Me gluten-free is a great app that I use for finding safe restaurants.

I have my hypotheses on where to take this idea, but I was wondering if this is something you struggle with as well? If not what are your biggest struggles when trying to find products you feel safe consuming?

[trents]

Sounds like an idea with promise. But the tool you speak of would need to be interactive such that users could add their own experience to the data base. And would there need to be some way of vetting their input? I would also worry about the door being open for someone to sue you if they experienced personal harm based on trusting the information in the app. I certainly would load it with plenty of disclaimers.

[Scott Adams]

I think an app that also locates certified gluten-free products would be more valuable to celiacs than just gluten-free ones.

[smittywerb8]

On 4/30/2021 at 7:15 PM, trents said:

Sounds like an idea with promise. But the tool you speak of would need to be interactive such that users could add their own experience to the data base. And would there need to be some way of vetting their input? I would also worry about the door being open for someone to sue you if they experienced personal harm based on trusting the information in the app. I certainly would load it with plenty of disclaimers.

I wouldn't necessarily put the burden on the users to input where to find these items, it'd be linked with the supermarket's data base and their availability (similar to how Instacart knows what items a Stop & Shop has in stock). Also the ingredients and allergens would be available to read, before deciding to make the trip to purchase the item. I would still definitely look into adding a feature that filters certified gluten-free items from ones that are say "made in a facility that also processes..." Also would have to research if other allergens have a similar third-party certification.

[smittywerb8]

17 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

I think an app that also locates certified gluten-free products would be more valuable to celiacs than just gluten-free ones.

I definitely agree. I'd look into adding a feature that filters certified gluten-free items from ones that are say "made in a facility that also processes..." Also would have to research if other allergens have a similar third-party certification. I'm envisioning a more broad app that can help other people with dietary restrictions as well.

[cristiana]

Hi Smitty

I have a feeling in the UK Coeliac UK has an app which alllows you to scan a bar code and it will tell you whether the product contains gluten - or something along those lines.  You may wish to have a look at Coeliac UK's website.

Cristiana

[smittywerb8]

25 minutes ago, cristiana said:

Hi Smitty

I have a feeling in the UK Coeliac UK has an app which alllows you to scan a bar code and it will tell you whether the product contains gluten - or something along those lines.  You may wish to have a look at Coeliac UK's website.

Cristiana

Thanks Cristiana I'll look into it. I'm looking to design something where the user can find these products on an app before they even leave the house. If you wanted to find say gluten free waffles, you can use the app to see which supermarkets around you sell the waffles and which brands they carry.

[Scott Adams]

On the downside, I can see this being helpful to a newbie who is just diagnosed, or to those who travel and prefer to avoid eating out, but beyond those two niche within niche groups, most celiacs learn pretty quickly which gluten-free foods they like, and where to find them. I mean it's really not hard at all nowadays finding gluten-free foods, but I'm comparing things to the 1990's, which is when I was diagnosed.