Abstract: A user presents a food item to a device. In response, the device provides the user with advice about whether or not to eat the food item. The advice is also based on personalized food preferences or restrictions and medical conditions of the user. The advice may also be based on food-related data obtained from other users, such as personalized food preferences, restrictions, medical conditions, and food intake histories of such users. The user may accept or reject the advice provided to the user by the system. If the user rejects the advice, the device may identify one or more alternative food items within the vicinity of the device or any other location requested by the user and provide the user with advice about whether or not to eat the alternative food items. The user may accept or reject this alternative advice.