The Vision
Dr. Eric Berg has built his reputation on helping millions understand the hidden dangers of processed foods. When he partnered with Passio, the mission was clear: Create an app that could instantly reveal how much “junk” a food really is.
The result was the Junk Food Meter App. This app lets users scan barcodes and receive a simple 0–10 Junk Food Score. A score of 0 represents a food that is clean and healthy, while a score of 10 highlights something highly processed and best avoided. More than just numbers, the app educates users by breaking down why a food received its score, exposing seed oils, starches, added sugars, and other ultra-processed ingredients.
Just as importantly, the app now also serves as a sustainable revenue engine for Dr. Berg. Through the product suggestions feature, users are guided toward healthier alternatives, and when they choose those alternatives through affiliate links, the app generates recurring income. This turns the Junk Food Meter into more than a health tool, it’s also a business model that transforms engagement into revenue while rewarding both user trust and Dr. Berg’s mission.
Training AI to Think Like Dr. Berg
Behind the simplicity of the score lies an innovation: a custom fine-tuned LLM built specifically for Dr. Berg’s philosophy on food by our team at Passio.
- The Passio team assembled a large dataset of foods across multiple categories.
- Dr. Berg personally rated each one with a Junk Food Score from 0 (healthy) to 10 (highly junk food).
- These ratings became the ground truth training set for the model.
- The LLM was fine-tuned to learn his scoring preferences, so that when users scan foods not on the original list, the AI can predict a Junk Food Score consistent with Dr. Berg’s framework.
This process ensured that the Junk Food Meter wasn’t just “AI making guesses” but is Dr. Berg’s nutritional philosophy, distilled into a model that could scale to thousands of products instantly.
Impact and Adoption
In just a few short months since launch, the Junk Food Meter App has quickly become a go-to tool for users seeking clarity in a confusing food landscape. Its simple scoring system and ingredient transparency have resonated strongly with health-conscious consumers.
- Over 3,700 reviews across platforms within months of release
- 4.9 average ratings
- Thousands of daily scans, helping users make real-time grocery decisions
- Viral word-of-mouth growth, as users share eye-opening results about “healthy” foods that scored poorly
User sentiment has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting both the educational value of the app and the empowerment it provides in everyday choices:
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Turning Engagement Into Revenue
While the Junk Food Meter was already a hit as an educational tool, Dr. Berg and Passio identified a natural way to make it a sustainable business model. In the latest version, the app introduced product recommendations with affiliate links.
Now, when a user scans a food that scores poorly, the app not only explains why, but it also suggests healthier foods that Dr. Berg endorses. These recommendations include affiliate links, creating a win-win:
- Users receive actionable alternatives right at after scanning a barcode.
- Recommended products are also displayed on the dashboard allowing users to easily browse a handful of choices Dr. Berg recommends.
- Dr. Berg’s brand transforms high engagement into a recurring revenue stream.
This feature turned the Junk Food Meter from a static scoring tool into a living ecosystem: education + action + monetization.
Why This Matters for Other Businesses
The Junk Food Meter isn’t just a success story for Dr. Berg, it’s a blueprint for how others can launch impactful, revenue-generating apps powered by AI.
- Custom AI that reflects your brand values. By training an LLM on your own philosophy, scoring system, or expertise, your app can scale your unique knowledge far beyond what a single expert can provide.
- Revenue through product suggestions. Embedding affiliate recommendations at the right moment when a user is actively seeking guidance. This creates a powerful monetization stream that feels natural, not forced.
- Turning engagement into income. A feature that starts by educating users evolves into a repeatable revenue channel.
- User trust drives long-term growth. By starting with education and transparency, you earn the trust needed to successfully introduce commerce features.
The Key Takeaways?
- High adoption & loyalty: 4.9 ratings with thousands of reviews prove the app resonates deeply with users.
- AI alignment with expertise: Fine-tuned LLM ensures the scoring system reflects Dr. Berg’s nutritional principles, not generic AI guesses.
- Revenue innovation: Product recommendations with affiliate links provide a scalable income channel.
- Replicable model: Other health brands, educators, and content creators can apply this approach to their own audiences.
Dr. Berg’s Junk Food Meter shows what happens when expertise, AI, and smart monetization meet. It takes a trusted health educator’s philosophy, encodes it into a fine-tuned model, and delivers it to thousands of users in the moments that matter most. With product recommendations turning engagement into income, the app is not only improving lives but also creating a sustainable business model.
Ready to Turn Engagement Into Revenue?
Dr. Berg’s Junk Food Meter shows what’s possible when expertise, AI, and monetization strategies come together. With Passio, you can create an app that not only delivers real value to your audience but also transforms high engagement into recurring revenue through features like product recommendations, affiliate links, and custom AI models trained to reflect your brand’s philosophy.
Let’s build your revenue-generating app together. Talk to our team and discover how Passio can help you launch your own AI-powered experience that educates, engages, and earns.
