Gather. Scan.
Democratize Food Data.
A Scan Party is a collaborative, hands-on gathering where citizens, volunteers, and food advocates meet in local supermarkets, cooperative grocery stores, or community spaces to scan barcodes, capture ingredients, nutrition facts, and packaging specs directly for Open Food Facts.
❤️ Heart-Warming Energy: Yes They Scan!
Since the earliest days of Open Food Facts, scan parties have been powered by kind, passionate people determined to bring food transparency to everyone.
1st General Assembly in Paris
June 20, 2015: First collective scan gathering during the founding assembly of Open Food Facts in Paris.
Impromptu Scan Party in Lyon
June 2015: Spontaneous expedition in an Asian grocery store to decode and index dozens of specialties.
Marie-Claire, Pioneer Contributor
Hunting barcodes in Spain after cataloging over 200 products before the public launch of Open Food Facts!
Share your scan party photos with #scanparty or send them to scanparty@openfoodfacts.org!
What is a Scan Party?
A fun, educational, and impactful workshop combining social teamwork with citizen science: decipher food labels while enriching the world's largest open food commons.
Enrich Open Food Facts
Add new products and refresh ingredient lists, nutrition tables, and recyclable packaging specs.
Empower Consumers
Provide verified, transparent facts to help everyone make healthier and more sustainable food choices.
Promote Collaboration
Connect neighbors, students, coworkers, and co-op members through engaging, collaborative teamwork.
Raise Food Literacy
Demystify Nutri-Score, Eco-Score, NOVA ultra-processing groups, and additive classifications.
2 Ways to Run Your Scan Party
Whether you have high-speed Wi-Fi in a classroom or zero cellular reception in a supermarket basement, Open Food Facts has you covered!
Method 1: Live Mobile App Scanning
Participants install the free Open Food Facts mobile app, scan items, and add photos directly on their phones.
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Install Free App Available on iOS and Android without ads or paywalls.
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Pair Up Participants One person handles products, the second scans barcodes and captures labels.
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Capture 4 Key Angles Front packaging, ingredients list, nutrition table, and recycling specs.
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Instant AI & Score Calculation Built-in OCR extracts text and computes Nutri-Score & Eco-Score on the spot!
Method 2: Offline Photos & Producer Import
When scanning in basements with no Wi-Fi, take photos using standard camera phones following the barcode anchor sequence, then bulk upload the folder to the Producer Platform!
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Sequential Camera Photos Use standard camera phones to snap clear photos.
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Barcode Photo First The barcode photo serves as the separator delimiter for automatic pairing.
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Collect Photo Folders Gather photo folders onto the host laptop after the event.
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Drag & Drop Bulk Upload Upload the complete folder to pro.openfoodfacts.org for batch processing!
The 'Barcode Anchor' Photo Sequence Protocol
Ordre strict obligatoireFor offline scanning, follow this strict sequence for each product: the barcode photo acts as the delimiter so the system correctly groups consecutive packaging photos.
1. Barcode Photo
Flat and sharp with visible digits (acts as delimiter).
2. Front Packaging
Product name, brand, logos, and net weight/volume.
3. Ingredients List
Full ingredients list and allergen statements.
4. Nutrition Table
Values per 100g / 100ml (calories, sugars, fats, salt).
5. Packaging & Eco
Recycling symbols (Triman), material types (PET, HDPE, PP).
Scan Party Simulator
Click items on the shelf to see barcode scanning and score calculation in real time!
Store Shelf Products:
Sélectionnez un produit
Cliquez sur un article à gauche pour tester le scan
Host Toolkit & Marketing Materials
Everything you need to prepare, promote, and host your local Scan Party with ease:
Canva Poster Templates
Customizable A4 posters, social media banners, and printable sign-up sheets in Canva.
PDF Host Handbook
A comprehensive 12-page step-by-step handbook covering store outreach, room setup, and team facilitation.
Workshop Guide Article (EN)
Comprehensive blog post guide: 'Organise a scan party / participative workshop!'
French Workshop Article
Official French announcement & guide: 'Organisez une scan party emballages'.
📋 Interactive Host Checklist
Track your preparation progress step-by-step to ensure a smooth, rewarding workshop:
Scan Parties Directory
Explore upcoming gatherings and historical scan parties from around the world:
Connect with the Community
Need guidance, ideas, or venue advice? Connect directly with organizers and OFF staff:
Canal Slack International
Join #scanparty on the official Slack for global coordination and tips.
Canal Slack Francophone
Join #scanparty_fr to collaborate with French-speaking organizers.
Community Lead Support
Reach out to Gala (Community Lead) for assistance, materials, or introductions.
Supported by Fondation de France
Open Food Facts warmly thanks the Fondation de France for its generous support of citizen participatory science, civic engagement, and open food data democratization for healthier and more sustainable food systems.
Learn more about Fondation de France →