Additiva
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Support

Need help with Additiva? Most questions are answered below. If you are still stuck, or you have found a mistake in an additive’s card, email info@swtlm.com and we will get back to you within a couple of business days.

The answers on a card

What do Yes, No and Depends mean? Yes means the additive’s source material can satisfy the diet. No means it cannot; for halal and kosher a No is always backed by a named authority. Depends means the answer comes down to how the additive was made, or to which certifier you follow, and the line under the answers says which.

Why does the app say “Depends” so often? Many additives can be made from plants, animals or by fermentation, and an ingredient list rarely says which. Rather than guess, the app tells you what to ask the manufacturer.

Who decides whether an additive is halal or kosher? The app shows the published positions of named authorities, such as MUI, JAKIM or the Orthodox Union, and says when they disagree. It does not issue a ruling. Your own certifier or religious authority has the final word.

Does it cover allergens? Tags follow the EU’s 14 and the US’s 9 major allergens. Traces and cross-contamination are not covered, so always read the package label.

Where does the data come from? The EU food additives database and the EU’s additive specifications, EFSA opinions, the Codex INS list and, for Russian names, the Eurasian Economic Union’s list. Each card links to its sources, and Settings → Data sources lists them all with their licences.

I think a card is wrong. Please tell us at info@swtlm.com, with the E-number and, if you can, the source that says otherwise. We check every report.

Search found nothing. Try the E-number on its own (for example E471 or 471), or a shorter part of the name. Search matches codes, INS numbers, common and chemical names, and the names printed on labels in all seven languages, and it forgives small typos.

Do I need an internet connection? No. The additive database is inside the app, so search works offline.

Label scanning (Premium)

How do I scan a label? Tap Scan a label on the main screen and hold the ingredient list in front of the camera, or choose a photo of a label. Additives appear as they are found; tap one to open its card.

The camera does not start. The app needs camera access. If you declined it, allow it in your phone’s settings: on iPhone, Settings → Additiva → Camera; on Android, Settings → Apps → Additiva → Permissions → Camera. You can also scan a photo instead.

Scanning missed an additive. Good light, a flat label and holding the phone still all help. On Android, scanning is an assist for labels in the Latin alphabet and misses more additives on Cyrillic labels. Whatever a scan misses, you can still find with search.

Premium and billing

What does Premium include? Label scanning and no ads. Everything else, including every additive and every diet answer, is free.

What plans are there? Monthly, yearly (with a free trial) or a one-time lifetime purchase. The store shows each price in your currency before you buy.

How do I cancel a subscription? Cancel in your store account: on iPhone, Settings → your name → Subscriptions; on Android, Google Play → Payments and subscriptions → Subscriptions. Premium stays active until the end of the period you paid for. The lifetime purchase has nothing to cancel.

I bought Premium but it is not showing. Open Settings → Additiva Premium and tap Restore purchases, using the same App Store or Google Play account you bought with.

Can I share Premium with my family? On the App Store, yes: all three plans support Family Sharing. Google Play does not offer family sharing for these purchases.

Can I get a refund? Refunds are handled by Apple or Google. Request one from your store account’s purchase history.

Ads and privacy

Why does the app ask about ads and cookies? In some regions, including the EEA, the UK and Switzerland, the law requires consent before ads may use your data. The free version shows Google’s consent form once, before its first ad. To change your choice later, open Settings → Ad privacy choices.

Does the app know what I search for? No. Searches and scans stay on your phone. See our Privacy Policy.

Contact

We aim to reply within 2 business days.