What does Yuka base its rating on?

November 24, 2025 •

4 min read

With over 56 million users across 12 countries, the Yuka app has become a popular tool for checking product health scores. But what does Yuka base its rating on for the vast database of food and cosmetic items it analyzes? The app relies on distinct, science-backed methodologies tailored to each product category, providing instant feedback on ingredient quality.

Quick Summary

Yuka rates products on a scale of 0 to 100 using distinct criteria for food and cosmetics. Food ratings weigh nutritional quality (60%), additives (30%), and organic status (10%), while cosmetic ratings are based solely on ingredient risk, with the highest-risk ingredient determining the score. Ratings are informed by official scientific sources and independent studies.

Key Points

Food vs. Cosmetics: Yuka uses different scoring systems for food and cosmetics based on their unique compositions.
Food Score Factors: Food ratings are a composite score based on nutritional quality (60%), presence of additives (30%), and organic certification (10%).
Cosmetic Score Factors: Cosmetic ratings are based entirely on ingredient analysis, with the overall score determined by the highest-risk ingredient.
Scientific Basis: Yuka's analyses are informed by official health organizations like the FDA and IARC, as well as independent scientific studies.
Traffic Light System: Both food and cosmetic ratings use a color-coded system (green, yellow, orange, red) to quickly convey risk levels.
Precautionary Principle: Yuka applies the precautionary principle, alerting consumers to potential health risks even if they are still under suspicion in some studies.

Understanding Yuka's Food Rating System

For food items, Yuka's scoring is a weighted calculation that breaks down a product's healthfulness into three main components. The final score, out of 100, is influenced most heavily by the product's nutritional profile, followed by the presence of additives and a bonus for organic certification.

The Three Pillars of Food Scoring

Nutritional Quality (60%): Yuka utilizes a modified version of the European Nutri-Score system to determine this portion of the rating. The Nutri-Score evaluates the balance of nutrients to be encouraged versus those to be limited. Desirable components like fiber, protein, fruits, and vegetables contribute positively, while saturated fat, sugar, sodium, and calories contribute negatively. Yuka fine-tunes this system to avoid rating jumps between similar products.
Presence of Additives (30%): A significant portion of the score is based on the food's additives. Yuka's scientific team categorizes additives into risk levels based on research from sources like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Additives are color-coded:
- Risk-free (Green): No impact on the score.
- Limited Risk (Yellow): Slight negative impact.
- Moderate Risk (Orange): Moderate negative impact.
- High Risk (Red): Severe negative impact. If a high-risk additive is present, the product's maximum possible score is capped at 49/100, regardless of other factors.
Organic Certification (10%): Products with an official organic label, whether national or international, receive a bonus. This reflects the avoidance of chemical pesticides associated with non-organic farming.

Yuka's System for Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

Unlike the multi-criteria approach for food, Yuka's cosmetic rating system is based entirely on ingredient analysis. The final score is not a weighted average but is critically determined by the single highest-risk ingredient present.

How Cosmetic Ingredients Are Evaluated

Ingredient Analysis: Yuka’s toxicologist analyzes each ingredient (found on the INCI list) based on its potential effects on health and the environment. This includes looking for carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, allergens, irritants, and pollutants.
Risk-Based Scoring: The app assigns one of four risk levels to each ingredient:
- Risk-free (Green dot)
- Low risk (Yellow dot)
- Moderate risk (Orange dot)
- Hazardous (Red dot)
Highest-Risk Determines Final Score: The product's overall score is directly tied to the risk level of its most problematic ingredient. For example, any hazardous (red) ingredient automatically drops the product's final score to below 25/100. Similarly, the presence of a moderate-risk (orange) ingredient will limit the score to below 50/100.

Yuka's Scientific Backing

To ensure its ratings are credible and based on the best available information, Yuka's scientific team consults a variety of sources. These include international scientific databases (SIN List, TEDX List) and the opinions of official organizations such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Yuka also uses independent scientific research, prioritizing systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and applies the precautionary principle to alert consumers to potential risks, even if still under suspicion.

Comparison: Yuka's Food vs. Cosmetic Rating


Aspect	Food Rating	Cosmetic Rating
Scoring Formula	Weighted calculation (60% nutrition, 30% additives, 10% organic).	Determined solely by the highest-risk ingredient.
Key Factors	Nutritional balance (per 100g), number of additives, organic status.	Health and environmental risks of all ingredients (INCI list).
Nutritional Basis	Based on the European Nutri-Score system.	N/A.
Additives/Ingredients	Additives have varying point deductions based on risk level. One high-risk additive caps the score at 49.	One hazardous ingredient drops the score below 25. One moderate risk ingredient drops it below 50.
Organic Weight	Provides a 10% bonus.	Not explicitly a scoring factor, but organic ingredients may be safer.

The Yuka Rating in Practice

When you scan a product, the Yuka app provides a score, a color-coded indicator, and a detailed breakdown of the assessment. A product rated poorly often comes with suggestions for healthier alternatives. However, it's important to remember that Yuka's ratings are based on general population data and may not account for individual sensitivities or needs. The app serves as a helpful guide for making more informed decisions, but it should be used in conjunction with personal judgment and, when necessary, professional advice. The app's transparent business model, funded by premium subscriptions and supplemental products rather than industry influence, reinforces its independent stance.

Conclusion

Yuka bases its rating on a transparent, algorithm-driven system that uses distinct criteria for food and cosmetic products. For food, the methodology weighs nutritional quality, additives, and organic status based on sources like Nutri-Score and health authority reports. For cosmetics, the score is determined by the highest-risk ingredient identified through a robust analysis of scientific research. While the system provides an accessible tool for consumers seeking clearer product information, it is important to understand the specific methodologies behind each score and use the app as one resource among others for making purchasing decisions. The app's commitment to independence allows it to provide unbiased information, empowering millions to make more health-conscious choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

The nutritional quality, which makes up 60% of a food product's score, is based on the European Nutri-Score system. It positively weights protein, fiber, and fruits/vegetables, while negatively weighting calories, saturated fats, sugar, and sodium, based on a 100g/100mL quantity.

Additives account for 30% of a food product's score and are assigned a risk level based on scientific literature. High-risk (red) additives can significantly penalize a product, capping the score at 49/100.

A 10% bonus is granted to food products that carry an official organic label. This bonus recognizes the absence of chemical pesticides often found in conventionally grown products.

Cosmetic ratings are determined solely by the ingredient list (INCI) rather than a weighted formula. The product's overall score is dictated by the potential risk level of its most harmful ingredient.

If a cosmetic product contains a single ingredient classified as 'hazardous' (red dot), its total score will automatically fall below 25/100, resulting in a 'bad' rating.

No, Yuka's ratings are based on general scientific analysis and the precautionary principle. They do not account for individual circumstances, so users with allergies or sensitivities should always check the full ingredient list themselves.

Yuka emphasizes its independence, stating it has no affiliation with food or cosmetic brands and does not use ads. The app is funded through premium subscriptions and supplemental products to ensure unbiased ratings.

Yuka relies on data from recognized scientific bodies like the IARC, EFSA, and FDA, as well as extensive independent scientific studies, to inform its ingredient evaluations.