Nest ScanMethodology
How we rate ingredients
Ratings come from a fixed list of rules, each taken from official pregnancy guidance and linked to it. The same label always gets the same result.
Where the rules come from
We only use health services, regulators and professional bodies: the NHS, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and NHS maternity services. If they don't cover an ingredient, it isn't on our list, and the app tells you so instead of guessing.
What the AI does, and doesn't do
The phone reads the label itself first. If it can't read it clearly, an AI model transcribes the ingredient list, and you can correct anything it misread. The AI never decides a rating, never gives advice and never sees your due date or health answers.
Who checked the list
14 of 14 rules were checked against their sources, most recently on 7 October 2026. They have not yet been reviewed by a clinician. Each ingredient page in the app shows its source and the date it was checked.
When guidance changes
We update the list without an app release. Products saved on your shelf are flagged if their rating changes.
The four ratings
Official guidance says to avoid it while pregnant.
Fine within a limit the guidance sets.
Guidance is limited, or the label doesn't say what we need. We tell you what to check.
Nothing on our watch list. Not a promise that a product is safe.
The full list
| Ingredient | Rating | What the guidance says | Sources | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Not for now | NHS: drinking alcohol in pregnancy can cause long-term harm to your baby. It's safest to avoid alcohol. | NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (reviewed 15 Jun 2026) | 7 October 2026 |
| Caffeine | Limit | NHS: no more than 200 mg of caffeine a day, counting all drinks and foods. | NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (reviewed 15 Jun 2026) | 7 October 2026 |
| High-mercury fish | Not for now | NHS lists swordfish, shark and marlin as foods to avoid. FDA adds king mackerel, orange roughy, tilefish (Gulf of Mexico) and bigeye tuna: the highest in mercury. | NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (reviewed 15 Jun 2026) FDA: Advice about eating fish (current as of 5 Mar 2024) | 7 October 2026 |
| Liver | Not for now | NHS: liver and foods containing liver have high levels of vitamin A, which can be harmful to your baby. | NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (reviewed 15 Jun 2026) | 7 October 2026 |
| Mould-ripened or blue cheese | Not for now | NHS: soft cheeses with a white coating (brie, camembert, chèvre) and soft blue-veined cheeses, pasteurised or not, must be thoroughly cooked before eating. | NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (reviewed 15 Jun 2026) | 7 October 2026 |
| Soft cheese | Not for now | NHS: pasteurised soft cheeses such as mozzarella, feta, paneer and ricotta are fine. Anything made from unpasteurised milk must be thoroughly cooked. | NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (reviewed 15 Jun 2026) | 7 October 2026 |
| Tuna | Limit | NHS: no more than 4 cans or 2 tuna steaks a week. FDA: albacore and yellowfin once a week; canned light tuna 2 to 3 times a week. | NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (reviewed 15 Jun 2026) FDA: Advice about eating fish (current as of 5 Mar 2024) | 7 October 2026 |
| Azelaic acid | No concerns | ACOG lists it among over-the-counter acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy. For peels or prescription strength, ask your ob-gyn. | ACOG: Skin Conditions During Pregnancy (FAQ169, last reviewed Nov 2025) | 7 October 2026 |
| Benzoyl peroxide | No concerns | ACOG lists it among over-the-counter acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy. For peels or prescription strength, ask your ob-gyn. | ACOG: Skin Conditions During Pregnancy (FAQ169, last reviewed Nov 2025) | 7 October 2026 |
| Clary sage oil | Not for now | NHS maternity aromatherapy guidance: clary sage is not to be used in pregnancy until after 37 weeks. Ask your midwife. | NHS North Tees and Hartlepool: Serenity aromatherapy in maternity (reviewed 8 Jul 2026) | 7 October 2026 |
| Glycolic acid | No concerns | ACOG lists it among over-the-counter acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy. For peels or prescription strength, ask your ob-gyn. | ACOG: Skin Conditions During Pregnancy (FAQ169, last reviewed Nov 2025) | 7 October 2026 |
| Lavender oil | Ask first | There is no national guidance on essential oils in pregnancy. NHS maternity aromatherapy guidance: use them diluted in a carrier oil, and not at all with heart disease, epilepsy, recurrent bleeding or a history of premature labour. Ask your midwife. | NHS North Tees and Hartlepool: Serenity aromatherapy in maternity (reviewed 8 Jul 2026) | 7 October 2026 |
| Retinol | Not for now | A form of vitamin A, in the same family as isotretinoin. ACOG: it is generally recommended that topical retinoids be avoided during pregnancy, including those in over-the-counter products. | ACOG: Skin Conditions During Pregnancy (FAQ169, last reviewed Nov 2025) | 7 October 2026 |
| Salicylic acid | No concerns | ACOG lists it among over-the-counter acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy. For peels or prescription strength, ask your ob-gyn. | ACOG: Skin Conditions During Pregnancy (FAQ169, last reviewed Nov 2025) | 7 October 2026 |
Spotted something out of date? Tap the flag on any result in the app, or write to support@docusmarter.com.