The updated version is planned for deployment on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in January 2027, marking another important milestone in the development of the project’s ICT tools.

The Responsible Cooking Alliance (RCA) add-on tool is already in it’s final phase of implementation and will be available to users starting January 2027 as well.

Key technical improvements and new features

The latest release incorporates several improvements based on feedback and findings from the second internal testing phase, as well as updates to the underlying datasets and assessment methodology.

Improved user guidance and onboarding. The onboarding process has been redesigned with more visually appealing and user-friendly instructions to help users navigate the app and understand its main functionalities.

Updated nutritional datasets. The app’s datasets have been revised and enriched with updates curated by nutritional experts. These include adjustments to nutritional recommendations, food cost and seasonality information, and translations, ensuring that the information provided remains relevant and consistent with the project’s objectives.

Refined recipe-scoring methodology. The recipe-scoring approach has been improved to support more robust and meaningful assessments. A new initial scoring method has also been introduced, evaluating individual recipe ingredients based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) components associated with their respective trigger ingredients. This development represents an important step towards strengthening the analytical foundations of the app.

Enhanced app stability. A technical improvement has been introduced to keep the application active throughout the assessment process. This addresses the “Load failed” error previously encountered by iPhone users during the second testing phase, helping ensure a smoother and more reliable user experience.

More detailed intervention tracking. Significant improvements have also been made to the system’s intervention statistics and data collection mechanisms. The app now records which intervention message is displayed to each user during each recipe assessment. Furthermore, every accept or reject action is linked to the relevant assessment ID and the specific intervention message presented at the time of the user’s decision. This more granular approach to data collection will enable the project team to analyze intervention effectiveness more accurately and better understand how different messages influence user responses.

Preparing for the final internal testing phase

Following deployment to both app stores, the consortium will launch the third and final round of internal testing. Consortium partners will once again assess the application to verify that the implemented corrections and new features work as intended. Particular attention will be given to app stability, usability, recipe assessments, and intervention tracking.

This final validation phase will help ensure that the application is technically ready before it is opened to a wider audience and the project pilots begin.

Moving from TRL6 towards TRL7

Alongside the technical developments, MyRecipeWatch has reached another important milestone in its technology maturation journey. Following the reviewers’ assessment, the application has been evaluated at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6.

The consortium has therefore initiated discussions on how to formally define and document the transition from TRL6 to TRL7 throughout the pilot phase. This process includes engaging with the relevant Key Performance Indicator (KPI) owners to identify any additional data or indicators that should be captured through the application.

Ensuring that the appropriate information is collected during the pilots will be essential not only for evaluating the app’s performance in a relevant operational environment but also for supporting the achievement and measurement of the project’s defined KPIs.

Looking ahead

With the latest technical updates completed and the final internal testing phase approaching, MyRecipeWatch is moving steadily towards pilot implementation. The upcoming activities will focus on validating the app under real-use conditions, strengthening its data collection capabilities, and ensuring that the ICT tool is ready to support the project’s objectives.

These developments represent an important step in transforming the work carried out during the development and testing phases into a validated tool ready for practical application.