Fig now lets you set severity settings for each of your dietary restrictions. This helps Fig recommend appropriate groceries and restaurants for you while not overly limiting your options.

Which severity settings exist?

When you set up or update your Fig profile, you will now be given the option to indicate how strictly you follow each restriction. As a general rule of thumb, there are three severity levels on Fig:

• Preference
  • E.g., I try to limit peanuts or just want to be warned about peanuts
• Intolerance
  • E.g., I must avoid peanuts but am ok with cross-contact
• Severe
  • E.g., I must avoid peanuts and am NOT ok with cross-contact

Fig will treat each of these severity levels differently when making grocery and restaurant recommendations.

Note: If you created your Fig profile before February 18, 2025, you might see a pop-up asking which dietary restrictions you strictly follow. Any restrictions you select will be treated as Intolerances. On the following page, you’ll be asked if you care about cross-contact. Any restrictions you choose there will be treated as Severe restrictions.

What is cross-contact?

Cross-contact happens when small traces of an ingredient remain on surfaces or utensils, potentially causing a reaction. This is typically a concern for life-threatening food allergies or severe conditions like Celiac disease or Eosinophilic Esophagitis. It is usually NOT an issue for food intolerances or GI conditions like IBS or IBD.

Which severity settings should I choose?

Here is how we’d recommend setting up your Fig profile:

• Preference
  • Use this for dietary restrictions you loosely follow or that you only want to be warned about
  • Example: You try to avoid added sugar but you’re ok eating it from time to time, especially when dining out
• Intolerance
  • Use this for dietary restrictions you strictly follow 100% of the time
  • Example: You have gastrointestinal issues and need to strictly avoid ingredients like garlic or onion
• Severe
  • Use this for dietary restrictions you strictly follow 100% of the time AND that you care about cross-contact for
  • Example: You have celiac disease or a severe milk allergy

If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult with your doctor or dietitian.

How will Fig rate groceries and restaurants differently based on my severity settings?

Grocery ratings:

• Preference:
  • If a grocery doesn’t fit a Preference dietary restriction, the overall Fig rating for the product will be Yellow, not Red
  • For example, if you set “Added Sugar” as a Preference, Fig will rate a product with added sugar as Yellow instead of Red (assuming the product fits the rest of your dietary restrictions)
• Intolerance:
  • If a product doesn’t fit an Intolerance dietary restriction, the overall Fig rating for the product will be Red
• Severe:
  • If a product doesn’t fit a Severe dietary restriction, the overall Fig rating for the product will be Red
  • Fig will also check cross-contact statements for these dietary restrictions
    • For example, if you have a milk allergy and set Fig to Severe for Milk, Fig will flag if a product says “Made in a facility that also manufactures products with milk”

Restaurant ratings:

• Preference:
  • Fig will ignore Preference dietary restrictions when identifying suitable restaurants
• Intolerance:
  • Fig will consider Intolerance dietary restrictions when identifying suitable restaurants
• Severe:
  • Fig will consider Severe dietary restrictions when identifying suitable restaurants
  • Fig will also consider cross-contact for Severe dietary restrictions

If you have any questions or feedback, please message support@foodisgood.com or click the “Report an issue” button in your Fig app.