FLTRD raises €500K to scale its ultra-processed food scanner across Europe
What's the deal? Dutch foodtech startup FLTRDDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has raised more than €500,000 in a pre-seed round led by impact investor 4impact capitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, with angel investors from the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector joining. The app lets shoppers scan a product and instantly see whether it is an ultra-processed food (UPF), plus less processed alternatives.
What's the endgame? FLTRD built the PureScore, an independent, science-based rating of how processed a product is, based on ingredients, processing techniques, and organic certification. The app now covers more than 150,000 products from seven supermarkets and has over 35,000 users in the Netherlands. It aims to reach 100 million shoppers within five years.
Where's the money going? FLTRD will grow its team, expand into Belgium before year's end, and license the PureScore to food producers and retailers. "This investment allows us to bring in the people we need to accelerate," said co-founder Anke Kuik.
Why now? In November 2025, a series in The Lancet linked the rising share of UPFs in global diets to chronic disease. In July, the European Commission asked its scientific advisers how the EU should define ultra-processed food, with advice expected in March 2027. The Commission also approached Kuik for her expertise.
Why 4impact invested. "The European debate on ultra-processed food signals a structural shift in the market," said Victor Straatman, partner at 4impact capital. He argued that verifiable product data is becoming "a firm market requirement" for the food sector, giving FLTRD both a consumer audience and a licensable B2B data layer.
What could go wrong? No EU legislation specifically addressing UPFs is currently in force, so demand for verified processing data remains partly a bet on future rules. FLTRD's raise is also modest beside France's YukaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, which has grown to tens of millions of users across several countries and now places its scores on retailers' online product pages.
The signal: Independent product ratings are moving from consumer apps toward a business opportunity as retailers and producers face pressure for transparency. Belgium and retailer licensing will test whether FLTRD's processing-focused score can stand out and scale beyond the Netherlands.
Image credit: FLTRD
