SafeEats

Summary/ Abstract

Are you tired of the stress and anxiety that comes with eating out with food allergies or restrictions? SafeEats is a mobile app that simplifies the research process and provides a reliable source of information on restaurants that cater to your needs while assisting you to avoid health risks and dangerous allergic reactions. With SafeEats, you can enjoy dining out without compromising your health.

Problem Background

‍According to recent studies, over 12 million Americans have food allergies or restrictions, which can make dining out in public a challenging experience. Restaurants are the second most common place for food reactions to occur, and individuals with food allergies/restrictions face significant challenges in finding safe and suitable dining options.
“Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)—a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, research, and advocacy—reports that 85 million Americans are impacted by food allergies, and that 32 million of them deal with potentially life-threatening conditions. The group also estimates that every three minutes, a food-related reaction sends someone to the ER.Many foods can cause an allergic reaction, but these nine allergens are responsible for about 90% of cases: milk, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, wheat, shellfish, fish, and sesame.” Research
The current process of researching restaurants and menus can be time-consuming and stressful, and even with extensive research, there is still a risk of cross-contamination and potential reactions.
These challenges can significantly impact the dining experience of individuals with food allergies/restrictions, causing stress and anxiety, and even detracting from their overall enjoyment of dining out. The lack of reliable information on restaurant menus and cross-contamination risks makes it difficult for individuals to make informed and confident decisions when eating out in public.
To address these challenges, SafeEats aims to provide individuals with food allergies/restrictions a solution that simplifies the research process and enhances the overall dining experience. By providing users with a reliable source of information on restaurants that cater to their specific dietary needs and avoid cross-contamination risks, SafeEats will empower individuals to make safe and stress-free dining decisions.

Hypothesis & Impact

We believe that by providing individuals with food allergies/restrictions the necessary tools to identify potential risks and find appropriate options, SafeEats will lead to a stress-free and safe dining experience, resulting in an increase in the number of individuals with food allergies/restrictions who feel comfortable dining out in public. This will result in a measurable reduction in the negative impact that food allergies and restrictions have on their daily activities by decreasing the likelihood of allergic reactions and related medical expenses. We further believe that the application can shift the volume of diners to restaurants that make an effort to cater to allergies and restrictions, by allowing restaurants to partner with us further. It may also have the effect of incentivizing other restaurants to follow suit and create safer dining experiences across the board.

‍Problem Statements

1. HMW make it easier for individuals with food allergies/restrictions to find restaurants that cater to their needs?
2. HMW provide individuals with a simple and reliable way to identify potential risks and find appropriate options when dining out?
   
3. HMW streamline the research process for individuals with food allergies/restrictions when looking for menus online for restaurants?
   
4. HMW create a solution that empowers individuals with food allergies/restrictions to confidently dine out in public without fear of health risks?
   
5. HMW ensure that restaurants provide adequate and accurate information on their menus to assist individuals with food allergies/restrictions in making informed decisions?

Goals 

By creating this mobile application, we are putting the safety of users into their hands that allows them to have an empowering and stress-free dining experience by streamlining their research process. We take the responsibility of conducting research and analysis, freeing our users to focus on what really matters to them - satisfying their hungry stomachs.
We anticipate that the use of SafeEats will increase by 50% within the first year of launch within the population of moderate and severe food allergy/restriction users, targeted users of 20 to 40 users and furthering that the app will be responsible for a 20% increase in the number of individuals with food allergies/restrictions who feel comfortable dining out in public within the first two years.
Based on the research the following are the goals that SafeEats aims to produce for our users:

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Goal 1: Develop a mobile app that simplifies the research process and provides a reliable source of information on restaurants that cater to individuals with food allergies/restrictions.

Metrics:

• App usability rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars from beta testers
• 50 restaurants added to the app database prior to launch
• 500 app downloads within the first month of launch

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Goal 2: Enhance the dining experience of individuals with food allergies/restrictions by providing them with the tools they need to make informed and confident decisions when dining out in public.

Metrics:

• 75% of app users report feeling more informed and confident when eating out
• 90% of app users report having a positive dining experience with the help of SafeEats
• 25% reduction in food allergy/restriction-related health incidents reported by app users within the first year of launch

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Goal 3: Establish SafeEats as a go-to app for people with food allergies/restrictions, providing them with a reliable source of information on restaurants that cater to their needs and avoid cross-contamination risks.

Metrics:

• App user retention rate of at least 50% after 6 months
• Positive feedback from at least 80% of app users on app store reviews within the first 3 months of launch
• Partnerships with at least 10 restaurants within the first year of launch

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Non-Goals

1. Providing medical advice or treatment: SafeEats is not a medical app and should not be relied upon to provide medical advice or treatment. Users should always consult with a medical professional for advice on managing their food allergies/restrictions.
   
2. Guaranteeing 100% safety: SafeEats can provide information on restaurants and their menu items, but cannot guarantee 100% safety against cross-contamination or other allergen exposure. Users should always exercise caution and make informed decisions when dining out.
   
3. Recommending specific dishes or menu items: SafeEats can provide information on menu items that may be safe for users with food allergies/restrictions, but should not recommend specific dishes or menu items as the information provided may not be comprehensive or up-to-date.
   
4. Providing discounts or coupons: While SafeEats may partner with restaurants to provide information on their allergy-friendly menu options, it is not a coupon or discount app and should not be relied upon for promotions or special offers.

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‍User Stories  

• As a user with severe/moderate food allergies/restrictions, I want to be able to easily search for restaurants that cater to my specific needs, so that I can enjoy dining out without risking a severe allergic reaction.
  
• As a user with mild food allergies/restrictions, I want to be able to filter menu items based on my specific allergens or dietary restrictions, so that I can feel confident about my food choices and avoid potential health risks.
  
• As a user with only dietary restrictions, I want to be able to find restaurants that offer a variety of menu options that cater to my specific dietary needs, so that I can maintain a healthy diet while dining out.

‍Proposed Solution 

SafeEats is a mobile application that provides users with a reliable source of information on restaurants that cater to their specific dietary needs and preferences. It simplifies the research process and ensures that users can dine out without compromising their health.‍

Scenarios/Personas

Severe Allergy/Restriction Sam
Before discovering SafeEats, Sam, a young professional with severe food allergies, struggled to find suitable places to dine out with his friends and colleagues. He often felt anxious and stressed, having to double-check with restaurant staff to ensure his food was safe to eat. This made him feel isolated and left out from social gatherings, and he often ended up feeling ill after eating out.

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One day, Sam hears about SafeEats from a friend who also has food allergies. He decides to give it a try and downloads the app on his smartphone. When he opens it, he's presented with a simple interface that asks for his dietary preferences and restrictions. Sam selects all of his restrictions, including dairy, gluten, and peanuts, and SafeEats generates a list of nearby restaurants that cater to his needs. The app also displays menus and ingredients for each restaurant, so Sam can be sure the food is safe for him to eat.

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At the restaurant, Sam shows the server his allergies and restrictions on the SafeEats app, and the server confirms that they will accommodate his needs. Sam orders the gluten-free pasta dish and enjoys his meal without any worries. He feels grateful for SafeEats and the peace of mind it has given him.

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After using SafeEats, Sam no longer had to worry about compromising his health while dining out. He could finally enjoy meals with his friends and colleagues with confidence and without feeling left out. SafeEats had given Sam the freedom and peace of mind that he deserved.
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Mild Allergy/Restriction Martha
Martha is excited to meet her friends at a new restaurant in town. She has a mild lactose intolerance, so she always makes sure to check the menu before she goes out to eat. However, the restaurant's website doesn't have any clear indication of whether their dishes contain dairy products. Martha starts to feel anxious, thinking about the possibility of accidentally consuming something that will make her feel sick.

Luckily, Martha remembers that she recently downloaded the SafeEats app. She opens the app and types in the name of the restaurant. Within seconds, she sees a list of all the dishes on the menu, with icons indicating which ones are safe for her to eat. She feels relieved and grateful for the app's clear and concise information.

As she's browsing the menu, she notices that one of her favorite desserts contains dairy. However, she sees a note at the bottom of the screen that says the restaurant offers a vegan alternative. She feels excited and orders the vegan dessert, feeling happy that she can still enjoy a treat without worrying about her intolerance.

Martha finishes her meal feeling satisfied and grateful for the SafeEats app, which made her dining experience stress-free and enjoyable. She shares the app with her friends, some of whom also have dietary restrictions, and they all agree that it's a game-changer for eating out.

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Dietary Restriction Dan
Dietary Restriction Dan is a busy professional who frequently eats out for work lunches and dinners. He has a restrictive diet due to health reasons and needs to be careful about what he eats. He often finds himself in situations where he's unsure about what he can safely eat or spends a lot of time researching restaurants and menus ahead of time.

One day, Dan hears about SafeEats from a colleague and decides to give it a try. He downloads the app and creates a profile, inputting his dietary restrictions. When he needs to find a restaurant, he opens SafeEats and selects his location. The app then presents him with a list of restaurants in the area that cater to his dietary needs. He can easily browse the menus, filter by cuisine type or price range, and read reviews from other users.

Dan is thrilled with how easy and convenient it is to use SafeEats. He no longer has to spend time researching restaurants or worrying about accidentally consuming something that might harm his health. With SafeEats, he can confidently choose a restaurant that fits his needs and enjoy a stress-free dining experience.

‍Measuring Success 

Co.Lab Success Metrics 
By Demo Day, our team aims to have a functional minimum viable product (MVP) of SafeEats that offers a comprehensive database of restaurants and menu items, verified by users and external sources, with options for those with severe/moderate allergies/restrictions, mild allergies/restrictions, and dietary restrictions.

Goal 1: Develop a mobile app that simplifies the research process and provides a reliable source of information on restaurants that cater to individuals with food allergies/restrictions.

Metrics:

• 50 restaurants added to the app database prior to launch in major cities across the U.S.

Product Success Metrics 

1. User engagement: Measure the number of active users and the frequency of their use of the app.
   
   
2. Accuracy of information: Conduct periodic user surveys to determine the accuracy of the information provided by SafeEats and the effectiveness of the app in helping users avoid allergic reactions and other health risks.
   
   
3. Number of restaurant partners: Track the number of restaurants that partner with SafeEats to provide reliable information about their menus and ingredients.
   
   
4. User satisfaction: Conduct regular user surveys to determine overall satisfaction with the app and identify areas for improvement.
   

Metrics:

• App usability rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars from beta testers‍

‍Qualitative: understanding how many users have used the feature, how many times have they clicked onto this feature, were they successful and able to solve their problem with this feature?

Success/Survival

Success would mean that the product has successfully addressed the pain points and frustrations of users with food allergies and dietary restrictions. This would be measured through various metrics such as user engagement, number of downloads, and user satisfaction ratings. In addition, success would also mean that the product has a positive impact on the health and well-being of users with allergies and restrictions.
On the other hand, failure would mean that the product has not been able to address the pain points of users and has not gained traction in the market. This would be measured through metrics such as low user engagement, low download rates, and negative user satisfaction ratings.
To ensure survival, it's important to have a clear understanding of the resources being used and to keep a close eye on the burn rate. If the product is not meeting the success metrics within a certain timeframe, it may be necessary to consider pivoting or pulling the plug. On the other hand, if the product is showing promising signs of success, it may be necessary to double down on resources to further improve and scale the product.
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Hypothesis:‍

If we provide SafeEats users with accurate and reliable information about the ingredients in food products, including potential allergens and dietary restrictions, then they will be more likely to make informed purchasing decisions and choose safe options, resulting in a decrease in adverse reactions and an increase in user satisfaction. Specifically, we expect to see a 20% decrease in reported adverse reactions and a 30% increase in user engagement and positive feedback on the platform within the first six months of launch. We base these metrics on past launches of similar products and industry research.‍

Milestones & Timeline/Rough Scoping

‍Already completed: Requirements Gathering: This milestone marks the completion of gathering all the necessary requirements for the product, including user stories, use cases, and other functional and non-functional requirements.

‍Key Features‍

‍Inclusions for V1: 

• Restaurant Search: Users can search for restaurants in their area that cater to their specific food allergies and restrictions.
• Menu and Search Filtering: Users can filter restaurant menus by food allergies and restrictions to identify safe options. Allow users to filter search results by allergen, so they can easily find restaurants that meet their specific requirements.
• Enable users to search for restaurants based on their location, cuisine, and specific dietary needs.‍

Future considerations
Future iterations and feature additions of the app may include:

• Provide a comprehensive database of restaurants that cater to the needs of people with food allergies/restrictions and avoid cross-contamination risks.
• Allergen Information: Restaurants provide detailed allergen information on their menu items. Provide detailed information about the allergen-free menu options available at each restaurant, including ingredient lists and preparation methods, if available.
• User Reviews: Users can read reviews from other users with similar food allergies and restrictions to help inform their decision-making.
• Personalized Profiles: Users can create personalized profiles that store their food allergies and restrictions for easy reference when searching for restaurants.
• Allow users to read reviews from other individuals with food allergies/restrictions to get a better understanding of their experiences at different restaurants.
• Develop partnerships with restaurants to ensure that the information provided in the app is accurate and up-to-date.
• Provide education and resources to help users understand their specific food allergy/restriction and how to communicate their needs effectively with restaurant staff.
• Ensure that the app is accessible and inclusive for all individuals with food allergies/restrictions, regardless of their language, culture, or socioeconomic status.
• Use data analytics to monitor and track user behavior and preferences, in order to continually improve the app and the dining experience for people with food allergies/restrictions.
• Use data analytics to monitor and track user behavior and preferences, in order to continually improve the app and the dining experience for people with food allergies/restrictions.

Open Questions / Appendix 

-How often will we have restaurants provide updates to add to our database and also continue to keep our menus updated?
-How will we build out the feature where users are able to leave reviews of the restaurant for other users to see on the app? 

-How many local restaurants need to be on the platform before users feel confident using it to search in their area?

Related Links

SafeEats Product Research Plan
SafeEats Research Synthesis
SafeEats Research Survey