HK agency launches nutrition app

Calorie-conscious people can now make better food choices with the help of a nutrition calculator app developed by Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS). The "Nutrition Calculator" is initially available via Apple's App Store for Hong Kong, the CFS said in a news release. "'NuCal' is a mobile app version of an internet tool 'Nutrition Label Widget' rolled out by the CFS earlier. 'NuCal' is one of the items to promote the Nutrition Labelling Scheme which is now effective," a CFS spokesperson said. The CFS said the app aims to help people make better food choices by using nutrition information on prepackaged food anytime and anywhere. It enables people to set up their personal food database and search for their favourite prepackaged food items. After inputting the amount of food consumed, the estimated levels of nutrient intake can be worked out. Users can then compare them with the upper limits of daily intake and make appropriate adjustments. "Through saving their food intake history, users can check the levels of nutrient intake of different foods. That makes it easier for them to choose food which suits them," the CFS spokesperson said. "NuCal" is available in Traditional and Simplified Chinese, and English, and is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. — TJD, GMA News