Buy Canadian scanner apps have exploded online. How do you know which one is right?

Numerous Canadian-made scanner apps have gained popularity online since trade tensions with the United States escalated last year. These apps aim to assist shoppers in identifying products that are truly Canadian-made. However, each app utilizes different criteria to determine the Canadian origin of a product, making direct comparisons challenging.

Some apps consider a product partly Canadian if it is manufactured in the country, even if the parent company is not. Others score items based on production location, ingredient sources, and where profits go. Consequently, consumers face a confusing array of apps to choose from, and questions arise about which one is most accurate.

Consumer behavior researcher and Western University professor Bonnie Simpson advises shoppers to weigh multiple factors rather than seek a definitive answer. She suggests picking one app, learning how it arrives at its results, and assessing the credibility of its methodology. For instance, the app Buy Beaver rates products on a scale of 0 to 100 based on manufacturing location, parent company headquarters, and ingredient sources.

In a test, Buy Beaver gave Heinz tomato ketchup a score of 70 out of 100, accurately identifying the manufacturing location in Quebec and that Kraft Heinz Co. is an American multinational. Another app, O SCANada, classified the same ketchup as "not Canadian-owned" due to its U.S. parent company. It also provided information on manufacturing, ingredients, and employee locations.

Maple Scan labeled the ketchup as "prepared in Canada," which aligns with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's definition of food entirely prepared domestically. The app review process involved testing over a dozen apps using a bottle of Billy Bee honey. The three most popular apps were narrowed down to Buy Beaver, O SCANada, and Maple Scan.

They factored in download numbers and reviews as an indicator of popularity. The choice of app depends on individual goals and what aspects of "buying Canadian" matter most. Some consumers prioritize supporting local workers by ensuring the item is manufactured domestically, while others focus on keeping money within Canada by evaluating the ownership and shareholder structure of the company.

Understanding the difference between labels like "made in Canada" and "product of Canada" is crucial as well, as they indicate varying levels of domestic production. While no app can provide a perfect answer due to the complexity of the food supply chain and limited information, Simpson emphasizes that the apps serve as valuable tools to help consumers make more informed decisions.