Wrap-Genius
A personal journey into better food labeling.
There’s servings
in the package
The food we buy matters.
As our food systems become increasingly
complex, the food we choose to consume affects
not only our own health, but also the environment,
our ethical framework, the Earth's biodiversity,
and so much more.
But much of the data of our food purchases remains
hidden to us as end consumers. Food labels only give us
a basic snapshot. And pushes for better labeling are met
by slow-moving governments and companies resistant
to change.
This isn’t good enough.
We, as consumers, deserve
to know more about our food.
So, I went on a mission to come up with
something better. For 10 weeks, I carefully
tracked all of my grocery purchases in hopes of
creating a better and more visual look into my
food purchases.
A label 2.0 sorta speak.
Here’s what I found.
Data Overview
Over 10 weeks, I visited a grocery store 18 different times:
290
Total products purchased
$842
Total dollars spent
$47
Avg dollars spent per store visit
16
Avg products purchased per store visit
Buying Habits GMOs + Organics
44%
Contain GMOs
23%
Are Organic
Stores most poular visited
8 visits
10 visits
The products traveled all over the world to get to me.
173
Products had location info
117
Products had no location info
40%
of total products had no location info
- My location
- Product location
(size of circle represents # of products)
Over 10 weeks, I consumed 3,548 unique ingredients.
Here they are, sorted by their popularity:
145
Salt
122
Water
91
Sugar
72
Sunflower Oil
69
Canola Oil
68
Citric Acid
62
Spices
61
Xantham Gum
43
Sea Salt
43
Red Delicious Apple
40
Cherry Tomatoes
39
Lemon Juice
38
Garlic
37
Onion Powder
36
Eggs
36
White Wine
36
Spinach
33
Cream
31
Turmeric
28
Rice
26
Soybeans
26
Cranberries
26
Carrots
25
Mint
25
Almonds
25
Black Pepper
24
Soybean Oil
24
Shallots
23
Wheat Flour
22
Expeller Pressed Canola Oil
22
Ascorbic Acid
22
Palm Oil
22
Milk
21
Cultures
21
Edamame
21
Organic Carrots
21
Carrot
20
Durum Wheat Semolina
20
Black Pepper Extract
20
Apple Cider Vinegar
20
Modified Starch
20
Onions
20
Zucchini
20
Elderberry Juice Concentrate
19
Corn Starch
19
Butter
18
Non-Fat Milk
18
Distilled Vinegar
18
Folic Acid
18
Enzymes
18
Salmon
18
Whole Wheat Flour
18
Orzo Pasta
18
Yogurt
18
Soy Sauce
18
Riboflavin
18
Fish Stock
18
Cod
18
Wheat Maltodextrin
18
Rice Starch
18
Parsley
18
Chervil
17
Sesame Oil
17
Niacin
17
Ginger
16
Thiamine Mononitrate
16
Onion
16
Reduced Iron
15
Brown Sugar
15
Mustard Seed
15
Oleoresin of Paprika
15
Mayonnaise
15
Sesame Seeds
15
Scallions
15
Kale
15
Cabbage
14
Potato Starch
14
Raisins
13
Glucose Syrup
13
Wheat
13
Avocado
12
Vegetable Rennet
12
Shrimp
11
Rosemary Extract
11
Rye Flour
11
Enriched Flour
11
Green Peas
11
Flaxseed
11
Corn Grits
11
Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour
11
Rye Sour
11
Millet
11
Malted Barley Flour
11
Rye Malt
11
Rolled Wheat Flakes
11
Crushed Oats
11
Crushed Rye
10
Whole Green Peas
10
Tomatoes
10
Compressed Yeast
10
Red Onion
10
Soy Lecithin
10
Rice Vinegar
10
Organic Black Beans
10
Filtered Water
10
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
10
Crushed Barley
10
Vanilla
10
Organic Potatoes
10
Organic Onions
10
Organic Celery
10
Olive Oil
10
Ascorbyl Palmitate
10
Inactive Yeast
10
Organic Lentils
10
Cracked Wheat
10
Molasses
10
Calcium Carbonate
10
Active Yeast
9
Broccoli
9
Tofu
9
Chinese Broccoli
9
Rice Noodles
9
Cheese Cultures
9
Maltodextrin
8
Tomato Paste
8
Green Chili
8
Calcium Chloride
8
Red Bell Peppers
8
Cocoa Butter
8
Nonfat Milk Powder
8
Green Onion
8
Tomato Puree
8
Vinegar
8
Peppers
8
Chickpea Flour
8
Ghee
8
Vegetable Powder
8
Paneer
8
Spring Onion
8
Sodium Bicarbonate
8
Oregano
8
Tomato Juice
7
Celery
7
Organic Kiwi
7
Phosphoric Acid
7
Garlic Powder
7
Cayenne Pepper
7
Salt
7
Honey
7
Cilantro
7
Cashews
7
Cauliflower
7
Lima Beans
7
Basmati Rice
6
Sulfur Dioxide
6
Goats Milk
6
Organic Alcohol
6
Organic Wheat
6
Organic Soybeans
6
Organic Soy Sauce
6
Tahini
6
Pepper
6
Roasted Red Peppers
6
Roasted Garlic
6
Baby Arugula
6
Rosemary
6
Thyme
6
Roasted Butternut Squash
6
Red Quinoa
6
Wheatberries
6
Organic Grade A Milk
6
Vitamin D3
6
Whey Protein Concentrate
5
Baby Spinach
5
Dextrose
5
Pumpkin Seeds
5
Natural Vanilla Flavor
5
Shiro Miso
5
Whey
5
Guar Gum
5
Semisweet Chocolate
5
Chocolate Liquor
5
Chickpeas
5
Leavening
5
Locust Bean Gum
5
Pre Gelatinized Potato Starch
5
Lentil Flour
5
Acetate
5
Invert Sugar
5
Shredded Carrots
5
Quinoa
5
Cheese Culture
5
Green Bell Peppers
5
Chives
5
Red Wine Vinegar
4
Black Beans
4
Starch
4
Organic Pasteurized Milk
4
Mirin
4
Thai Lime Leaf
4
Green Leaf Lettuce
4
White Pepper
4
Fried Garlic
4
Red Thai Chili
4
Mung Bean Noodles
4
Garlic Chili Sauce
4
Cumin
4
Lactic Acid
4
Rice Powder
4
Peanut Butter
4
Spearmint
4
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4
White Cabbage
4
Corn Syrup
4
Dijon Mustard
4
Alcohol
4
Alcohol
4
Red Cabbage
4
Basil Leaf
4
Wheat Starch
4
Dry Roasted Peanuts
4
Baby Corn
4
Rice Paper
4
Shrimp Salt
4
Unbleached Wheat Flour
4
Tapioca
3
Microbial Rennet
3
Belgian Chocolate Chips
3
Natural Flavors
3
Mustard Seeds
3
Malic Acid
3
Raspberry Flavor
3
Raspberry Concentrate
3
White Wine Vinegar
3
Vanilla Extract
3
Raspberries
3
Peanut Oil
3
Peanuts
3
Raspberry Vinegar
3
Pecans
3
Dried Cranberries
3
Penicillum Roquefortii
3
Arabica Whole Bean Coffee
3
Pasteurized Milk
3
Bleu Cheese
3
Frisee
3
Redina
3
Red Mustard
3
Mizuna
3
Tatsoi
3
Red and Green Chard
3
Tango
3
Yeast
3
Lollo Rosa
3
Red and Green Romaine
3
Red and Green Oak
3
Baby Red Leaf
3
Baby Green Leaf
3
Mushrooms
3
Pine Nuts
2
Sunflower Seed Oil
2
Cheese
2
Jasmine Rice
2
Pasta
2
Egg
2
Yellow Bell Peppers
2
Grilled Onions
2
Basil
2
Microbial Ferments
2
Vegetable Enzyme
2
Lactic Culture
2
Asparagus
2
Artichokes
2
Black Olives
2
Ferrous Gluconate
2
Grated Hard Cheese
1
Kaffir Lime
1
Triticale
1
Barley
1
Buckwheat
1
Dried Cane Syrup
1
Brown Rice Syrup
1
Chicory Root Fiber
1
Whole Flax Seeds
1
Walnuts
1
Oat Fiber
1
Vegetable Glycerin
1
Soy Lechithin
1
Cinnamon
1
Evaporated Salt
1
Mixef Tocopherols
1
Moncalcium Phosphate
1
Peanut Flour
1
Nonfat Milk
1
Cholecalciferol
1
Potassium Iodide
1
Biotin
1
Chromium Chloride
1
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
1
Vitamin A Palmitate
1
Copper Gluconate
1
Zinc Oxide
1
Niacinamide
1
D-Calcium Pantothenate
1
DL-Alpha Tocopheryl
1
Kalamata Olives
1
Dicalcium
1
Sodium Phosphate
1
Ferric Pyrophosphate
1
Potassium Citrate
1
Medium Chain Triglycerides
1
Tricalcium Phosphate
1
Red Gaba Rice
1
Green Curry Sauce
1
Coconut Cream
1
Eggplant
1
Palm Sugar
1
Green Curry Paste
1
Lemon Grass
1
Galangal
1
Sweet Basil Leaves
1
Coriander
1
Mozzarella Cheese
1
Acesulfame Potassium
1
Galanga
1
Coconut Powder
1
Corn Flour
1
Coriander Powder
1
Vegetable Blend
1
Morning Glory
1
Banana Flower
1
Coconut Shoots
1
Balsamic Vinegar
1
Dried Basil
1
Brown Jasmine Rice
1
Thiamin Mononitrate
1
Organic Cane Sugar
1
Crushed Bartley
1
Cracked Wheat
1
Spice
1
Pasteurized Cream
1
Garlic Puree
1
Prepared Black Beans
1
Chum Salmon
1
Maple Syrup
1
Caramelized Sugar Syrup
1
Farm-Raised Uncooked Shrimp
1
Sugar Snap Peas
1
Water Chestnuts
1
Bean Sprouts
1
Swiss Cheese
1
Grape Tomatoes
1
Green Onions
1
Spring Mix
1
Dehydrated Onions
1
Carrageenan
1
Iron
1
Thiamine
1
Mononitrate
1
Cyanocobalamin
1
Whole Grain Oats
1
Oats
1
Hard Red Wheat
1
Rye
1
Sodium Hexametaphosphate
1
Potassium Chloride
1
Magnesium Phosphate
1
Sale
1
Annatto
1
Vitamin D3
1
Cellulose Gum and Gel
1
Natural and Artificial Flavors
1
Dipotassium Phosphate
1
Crystalline Fructose
1
Alkalized Cocoa Powder
1
Milk Protein Isolate
1
Calcium Sodium Caseinate
1
Caffeine
1
Brown Rice
1
Potassium Benzoate
1
Aspartame
1
Caramel Color
1
Carbonated Water
1
Phosphate Sucralose
Awards
Over the 10 weeks, I purchased all sorts of groceries. I crunched the numbers, and gave out
awards for the best of the best, and the worst of the worst.
The Good
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Cut and Peeled Carrots
Healthiest Overall
Organic Carrots
Most Popular Product
Red Delicious Apple
The Not-So-Good
Unhealthiest Overall
Butter
Most Caloric Product
Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Fattiest Product
Butter
Most Popular Ingredient
Salt
Saltiest Product
Stacy's Pita Chips
Sugariest Product
Nuts About Raspberries & Chocolate Trek Mix
I carefully tracked all my own grocery purchases with hopes of coming up with a better way to make sense of it all. Where does my food come from? What are my healthiest and unhealthiest choices? Which foods have GMOs? I created a dashboard that shows me all of this information and more.
It's my dream label.
My Dream Label
Select a week to see its data
- $32Spent
- 179Unique ingredients
- 11Products Purchased
- 16Ingredients/ Product
- 3Unique Locations
- 8With No Location
- 8945Farthest Mileage traveled
-
2 Stores
-
45%
Contain GMOs
-
0%
Are Organic
Products Purchased in Week 1
Click on a product to see its details
Fruits
No fruits this week.
Snacks
No snacks this week.
Staple
No staples this week.
Awards for Week 1
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Cut and Peeled Carrots
Healthiest Overall
Cut and Peeled Carrots
Most Popular Product
Cuban Style Black Beans
Most Popular Ingredient
Water
Unhealthiest Overall
Spicy Thai Shrimp Fried Rice
Most Caloric Product
Spicy Thai Shrimp Fried Rice
Fattiest Product
Spinach Mushroom & Cheese Quiche
Saltiest Product
Cuban Style Black Beans
Sugariest Product
Cut and Peeled Carrots
Tips for Week 1
The Good
Cut and Peeled Carrots are one of the best low-cost sources of nutrients!
The Bad
No fruit is no good. Make sure to get some soon. An apple a day..
For Next Week
Looks like you may need to stock up on some staple items.
- $89Spent
- 345Unique ingredients
- 31Products Purchased
- 11Ingredients/ Product
- 23Unique Locations
- 8With No Location
- 8945Farthest Mileage traveled
-
2 Stores
-
32%
Contain GMOs
-
35%
Are Organic
Products Purchased in Week 5
Click on a product to see its details
Cheese
No cheeses this week.
Beverages
No beverages this week.Awards for Week 5
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Organic Carrots
Healthiest Overall
Green Giant Baby Cut Carrots
Most Popular Product
Red Delicious Apple
Most Popular Ingredient
Salt
Unhealthiest Overall
Jasmine Rice
Most Caloric Product
Organic Whole Milk
Fattiest Product
New Zealand Organic Cheddar Cheese
Saltiest Product
Thai Shrimp Gyoza
Sugariest Product
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Tips for Week 5
The Good
Apple streak! Another week of fantastic fruits.
The Bad
Eggs and Whole Milk are high in cholesterol. Just be mindful.
For Next Week
Let's up the salad. I mean, why not?
- $125Spent
- 504Unique ingredients
- 40Products Purchased
- 13Ingredients/ Product
- 20Unique Locations
- 20With No Location
- 8945Farthest Mileage traveled
-
2 Stores
-
40%
Contain GMOs
-
13%
Are Organic
Products Purchased in Week 2
Click on a product to see its details
Awards for Week 2
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Cut and Peeled Carrots
Healthiest Overall
Green Giant Baby Cut Carrots
Most Popular Product
Red Delicious Apple
Most Popular Ingredient
Salt
Unhealthiest Overall
Butter
Most Caloric Product
Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Fattiest Product
Butter
Saltiest Product
Stacy's Pita Chips
Sugariest Product
Nuts About Raspberries & Chocolate Trek Mix
Tips for Week 2
The Good
So many fruits and veggies! Well done I say.
The Bad
Frozen food alert! Try going fresh a bit more.
For Next Week
You're looking good. Normal course of business works.
- $97Spent
- 314Unique ingredients
- 26Products Purchased
- 12Ingredients/ Product
- 15Unique Locations
- 11With No Location
- 8945Farthest Mileage traveled
-
2 Stores
-
42%
Contain GMOs
-
42%
Are Organic
Products Purchased in Week 10
Click on a product to see its details
Fruits
Cheese
No cheeses this week.
Beverages
Awards for Week 10
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Organic Carrots
Healthiest Overall
Organic Carrots
Most Popular Product
Lentil Soup - Amy's Organic Soups
Most Popular Ingredient
Salt
Unhealthiest Overall
Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Most Caloric Product
Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Fattiest Product
Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Saltiest Product
Vegetarian Pizza
Sugariest Product
Nuts About Raspberries & Chocolate Trek Mix
Tips for Week 10
The Good
Cut and Peeled Carrots are one of the best low-cost sources of nutrients!
The Bad
Just one fruit? And a Kiwi at that?
For Next Week
Looks like you may need to stock up on some staple items.
- $101Spent
- 427Unique ingredients
- 29Products Purchased
- 15Ingredients/ Product
- 14Unique Locations
- 15With No Location
- 8945Farthest Mileage traveled
-
2 Stores
-
66%
Contain GMOs
-
24%
Are Organic
Products Purchased in Week 6
Click on a product to see its details
Fruits
No fruits this week.
Canned Food
Cheese
No cheeses this week.
Beverages
Awards for Week 6
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Organic Carrots
Healthiest Overall
Organic Carrots
Most Popular Product
Wild Salmon with Orzo Pasta, Spinach & Zucchini
Most Popular Ingredient
Salt
Unhealthiest Overall
Nuts About Raspberries & Chocolate Trek Mix
Most Caloric Product
Nuts About Raspberries & Chocolate Trek Mix
Fattiest Product
New Zealand Organic Cheddar Cheese
Saltiest Product
Pad See Ew
Sugariest Product
Nuts About Raspberries & Chocolate Trek Mix
Tips for Week 6
The Good
Carrots are one of the best low-cost sources of nutrients!
The Bad
No fruit is no good. Make sure to get some soon. An apple a day..
For Next Week
More fruits please. Also - are you low on coffee?
- $78Spent
- 438Unique ingredients
- 25Products Purchased
- 18Ingredients/ Product
- 11Unique Locations
- 14With No Location
- 8377Farthest Mileage traveled
-
2 Stores
-
68%
Contain GMOs
-
12%
Are Organic
Products Purchased in Week 3
Click on a product to see its details
Fruits
Canned Food
Cheese
No cheeses this week.
Staple
Beverages
No beverages this week.Awards for Week 3
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Organic Carrots
Healthiest Overall
Organic Carrots
Most Popular Product
Inner Peas Baked Green Pea Snack
Most Popular Ingredient
Salt
Unhealthiest Overall
Organic Eggs
Most Caloric Product
Organic Eggs
Fattiest Product
Organic Eggs
Saltiest Product
Thai Shrimp Gyoza
Sugariest Product
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Tips for Week 3
The Good
Lots of veggies and salads. That'll do the body right.
The Bad
Just one fruit? And a Kiwi at that?
For Next Week
More fruits please. Also - are you low on coffee?
- $83Spent
- 324Unique ingredients
- 32Products Purchased
- 10Ingredients/ Product
- 19Unique Locations
- 13With No Location
- 8377Farthest Mileage traveled
-
2 Stores
-
38%
Contain GMOs
-
28%
Are Organic
Products Purchased in Week 8
Click on a product to see its details
Cheese
No cheeses this week.
Beverages
No beverages this week.Awards for Week 8
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Organic Carrots
Healthiest Overall
Organic Carrots
Most Popular Product
Red Delicious Apple
Most Popular Ingredient
Salt
Unhealthiest Overall
Brown Jasmine Rice
Most Caloric Product
Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Fattiest Product
Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Saltiest Product
Crunchy Curls Lentil & Potato Snack
Sugariest Product
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Tips for Week 8
The Good
Apple streak! Another week of fantastic fruits.
The Bad
Eggs and Whole Milk are high in cholesterol. Just be mindful.
For Next Week
Looks like it's time for you to get back on the cheese train.
- $73Spent
- 297Unique ingredients
- 30Products Purchased
- 10Ingredients/ Product
- 22Unique Locations
- 8With No Location
- 8377Farthest Mileage traveled
-
2 Stores
-
40%
Contain GMOs
-
17%
Are Organic
Products Purchased in Week 4
Click on a product to see its details
Cheese
No cheeses this week.
Beverages
No beverages this week.Awards for Week 4
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Green Giant Baby Cut Carrots
Healthiest Overall
Green Giant Baby Cut Carrots
Most Popular Product
Red Delicious Apple
Most Popular Ingredient
Canola Oil
Unhealthiest Overall
Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Most Caloric Product
Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Fattiest Product
Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
Saltiest Product
Stacy's Pita Chips
Sugariest Product
Baby Spinach & Greens Salad
Tips for Week 4
The Good
Someone's got a case of the apples!
The Bad
More snacks than veggies? That usually is not great.
For Next Week
Looks like it's time for you to get back on the cheese train.
- $66Spent
- 266Unique ingredients
- 27Products Purchased
- 10Ingredients/ Product
- 18Unique Locations
- 9With No Location
- 4771Farthest Mileage traveled
-
2 Stores
-
33%
Contain GMOs
-
26%
Are Organic
Products Purchased in Week 9
Click on a product to see its details
Cheese
No cheeses this week.
Beverages
No beverages this week.Awards for Week 9
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Kiwi
Healthiest Overall
Green Giant Baby Cut Carrots
Most Popular Product
Red Delicious Apple
Most Popular Ingredient
Red Delicious Apple
Unhealthiest Overall
Organic Eggs
Most Caloric Product
Organic Whole Milk
Fattiest Product
Organic Whole Milk
Saltiest Product
Stacy's Pita Chips
Sugariest Product
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Tips for Week 9
The Good
Apple trilogy! A third straight week of fantastic fruits.
The Bad
Ice cream sandwiches are tasty. But enjoy in moderation.
For Next Week
Let's up the salad. I mean, why not?
- $108Spent
- 454Unique ingredients
- 39Products Purchased
- 12Ingredients/ Product
- 28Unique Locations
- 11With No Location
- 8377Farthest Mileage traveled
-
2 Stores
-
44%
Contain GMOs
-
26%
Are Organic
Products Purchased in Week 7
Click on a product to see its details
Cheese
No cheeses this week.
Beverages
No beverages this week.Awards for Week 7
Best Price-To-Nutrient Ratio
Organic Carrots
Healthiest Overall
Green Giant Baby Cut Carrots
Most Popular Product
Red Delicious Apple
Most Popular Ingredient
Water
Unhealthiest Overall
Organic Eggs
Most Caloric Product
Organic Whole Milk
Fattiest Product
New Zealand Organic Cheddar Cheese
Saltiest Product
Crunchy Curls Lentil & Potato Snack
Sugariest Product
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Tips for Week 7
The Good
Someone's got a case of the apples!
The Bad
Eggs and Whole Milk are high in cholesterol. Just be mindful.
For Next Week
You're looking good. Normal course of business works.
