Barcode scanner UK food database not working?

[Rylan]

Hey guys,

I'm putting this here because I'm at a loss for where else to put it. However, it's a feature I try to access from the android app so here goes;

What on earth is going on with barcode scanning and the UK food database? I literally have never successfully found a product by scanning the barcode. I'm not even talking about rare foods from niche stores either. I'm talking about Tesco's bread, Warburton's bread, Tesco's Roasted Chicken, ASDAs milk, NISAs milk, Co-op's margarine.....common products bought from well known stores.

Has anyone had a positive experience of this and is it just me? I don't want to use MFP to track my food but, honestly, it's getting to the point where I don't have much choice.

Moderator Edit: Updated Subject For Clarity.

[Delgal]

What gets me is they're not doing anything about it! Plus why should you have to download an additional app such as 'myfitnesspal' to log food and drinks....very infuriating and extremely disappointing 

[Jinxster]

Because FB is a US concern, they'll ALWAYS be more concerned with the US market... and the UK can be ignored... shame really... they are missing a trick with us plucky Brits... keep everyone happy, and we are loyal! ignore us and we (like our american cousins) can vote with our feet, and our wallets / purses.

[Lilbiddy]

Considering how often this is complained about in different threads I find it surprising that the moderators haven't done the usual thing of amalgamating them. Perhaps because it would show the amount of discontent over this issue. 

Fitbit can put in a female health option for half it's users. I'm sure a large section of users that eat food are not in the USA. 

[dazhaz]

I think one way that could spur fitbit into some action would be for as many UK users as possible to log an 'official support request' complaining to the effect that the function doesn't seem to work, that may make it up another level of management. I would imagine most of the moderators who read our posts just don't take it any further as it would mean confronting a manager with the problem. It would be great if we could get lots of USA ex pats to also complain to the effect that 'now I live in the UK' I can't get the function to work.

[Lilbiddy]

Hi @dazhaz there was a suggestion for bar code scanning for international foods that had support but fitbit just marked it not currently planned. Every year about this time someone asks why the scanner isn't working and basically gets told 'tough'. As I said before there are several threads on this dating back years. Strangely the moderators don't merge them, probably because it would be noticeably large. I just wish they would remove it to save all the disappointment,frustration and annoyance.

[dazhaz]

Thanks @Lilbiddy, trawling through the posts all over the forum and in the fitbit 'request feature' section I am amazed at the lack of positive effort on the behalf of fitbit to fix, what seems to in principle, to be a fairly simple but invaluable feature. I think a little more innovative way of putting pressure on fitbit to do something needs some thought. As a start, as a new customer I think I will put in a support ticket and see where that gets me. Secondly a list of all the users who support this needs creating and then put pressure on mass, not piecemeal like has been happening with the occasional post in the forum.

[dazhaz]

---

@RobertoME wrote:

Hello everyone, thank you for your feedback regarding the option to use the bar code scanner for international food data base. At the moment the idea I suggested before was updated with more information about our future plans and the option to add international food data base to the barcode scanner.

The statuses of our feature suggestion are dynamic and can change if priorities change. Rest assure this is not an statement we do not care our users. In some instances are roadblocks that can make a feature not available for all regions. Nonetheless we are working to improve and offer the same Fitbit experience to all our users.

Just to clarify this option has not been removed or taken from our new versions of the app.

So far that's all the information available. If more details arise, I will let you know.

---

Hi @RobertoME, could you elaborate on this metaphorical roadblock issue, it would help us all who would like to use this feature to more fully comprehend fitbit's intransigence when it comes to enabling barcode scanning for UK and other countries.

[dazhaz]

---

@Moodster wrote:

It used to work really well when I first started to use Fitbit. I took about 6 months off following a back injury and now when I’ve tried to get back into it, no longer works. Very disappointed with Fitbit as the app was main reason I held off going to other fitness trackers. Will be reconsidering. 

---

Hi @Moodster, so you can confirm it did used to work? That makes me think there may be some other more sinister reason it was removed which fitbit aren't disclosing.

[dazhaz]

---

@Atreides wrote:

Hi Roberto. Thank you for your input. Im afraid though as far as im concerned, it does little to nothing to put out this fire.

To quote you " The statuses of our feature suggestion are dynamic and can change if priorities change. "

I can tell you that as myself, and a few other of your customers, are also 'dynamic'. And that i have bought a garmin which im much more happy with. Fitbit is churning out device after device now. But doing nothing about its software. This has been the case for years. Im utterly confused as to how a room full of employees at fitbit cannot seem to grasp that to acheive or maintain a market share, the app and its features has to work fully. Plenty other companies have managed a UK barcode scanner. Id suggest to fitbit a re jig in the upper management. They are clearly not effective. And are also out of touch wih their customers. If you can churn out xx amount of new devices, you could easily spend a little time on working on this feature. So with that, i'm now gone. I will await to see the financial report of fitbit in due course, but to carry on down this route, i fully expect to see fitbit struggling. Fyi, garmin does not have a barcode scanner... But it also never said it has as a selling point originally. I also find its better made, more accurate and just more polished and les child like. 

I hope for your existing customer base you introduce it soon, and that further replies are only really warranted if there is definitive answers. Right now, your and any other vague answer is just a fart in the wind. 

---

I cannot seem how this can be the 'Accepted Solution', the problem with barcode scanning outside the US still does not work! Did someone from fitbit label the post as the 'accepted solution' simply to try and sidetrack an issue which is causing more frustration than ever? As fitbit release new devices and especially just after Christmas when many happy people with fitbit's as their gift are just finding out about this flaw the discontent will only get worse. 

[Lilbiddy]

By the way everyone the suggestion for bar code scanning for international food databases is locked so you can't add comments etc. Thanks fitbit, ask us to make suggestions but block us from asking for what we want as opposed to what you already want to do..

[Moodster]

The situation ( in my opinion) is even worse than never developing a uk barcode scanner. When I first bought Fitbit (quite a few years ago), the uk database and scanner worked fine and I found it very useful for helping to monitor my dietary intake. Then, one day they apparently pulled the plug on it. I like you, have become disappointed with their lack of development in this space and will be looking to move me (and family) to alternative devices.

Cheers
James

Sent from my iPhone

[dazhaz]

---

@Lilbiddy wrote:

By the way everyone the suggestion for bar code scanning for international food databases is locked so you can't add comments etc. Thanks fitbit, ask us to make suggestions but block us from asking for what we want as opposed to what you already want to do..

---

Hi @Lilbiddy,

I found that out early on in my investigation into this issue. Have already messaged the moderator who took it upon themselves to do this and asked for a justification. Just waiting for a response before I escalate this. Pretty poor customer service.

[dazhaz]

And just to rub salt into the wound the heading for this message thread is titled:

Barcode scanner UK food database not working? (with a large green tick box 'solved' against it)!

Who decided considered that the consensus is that it is NOT solved to label it as this?

[JenUnfit]

If you use Twitter, tweet about this. Companies don't like the negativity exposed to the public. 

@fitbit @FitbitSupport @FitbitUK.

I already found a few tweets on this issue. Lets bombard them with more.

[Jinxster]

The only thing I've found to scan so far is a protein powder mix (ibsuspect is from the US) and a lucozade style drink.. I honestly think Its terrible of FB to not put the effort in this side of the pond.. come on guys..!! Make the app as good as the wrist wear and ppl will recommend them. At present I wish to the heavens I'd bought a garmin instead.. 

[dazhaz]

Hi JenUnfit, seems a bit impolite to address you like that, but do let me
know your real name if you like.

Anyway, thanks for getting back to me, i am actually one step ahead there
on this one, not being vain or anything, although I am a novice to twitter
I have created a hashtag #addukbarcodestofitbit
, but I know
am researching how to get the most out of disseminating, spreading the
word, or whatever verb seems appropriate with this hashtag.

If you have any ideas or know any twitter 'gurus' that could give
suggestions?

Many thanks, and seasons greetings.

@dazhaz - Fitbit
@dazhazz - Twitter

[Quorny]

Are there plans to update the barcode scanner for UK food? I read in the manual it said that it was the most comprehensive world wide database but obviously not , I'm struggling to put any food on my list from the UK

[Moodster]

Who knows. I’ve been asking for them to sort it for last couple of years but Fitbit clearly don’t seem interested in UK market. I’m now recommending to friends and family they look at alternatives that do offer a complete solution for use in UK.

Sent from my iPhone

[jchapman3]

its a disgrace 

[GwendyMc]

Hello, my settings are on UK good data base! It still doesn’t recognise most of the things I scan. Is this something which you plan to improve? My Fitness Pal has a far superior database. If I scan with that, it transfers only the calories and none of the macro nutrition to Fitbit. Very frustrating, Gwen