How do I get started with alacalc?
It takes less than 5 min. Click on the register button, sign up with your email address and you can immediately start. It won't take more than a few minutes before you have analysed your first recipe.
Can I use a la calc for labelling my retail products?
Yes. This is the precise reason a la calc has been created. Please use your results from a la calc on retail products, menus or just for development purposes.
Can I create sub-recipes (component recipes)?
Yes. All recipes are automatically marked as 'sub-recipes' (aka 'component' recipes). To add a sub-recipe to your current recipe simply search for the recipe name when adding ingredients and add in the same way you would any other ingredient.
Can I create a custom ingredients?
Yes. In the rare circumstance that our database doesn't have what you need go to My Ingredients > Create New from the main navigation bar. You can also use a standard database item as a template for a new item should you wish.
I don't have all 55 nutrients and allergen information for my custom ingredient, will it still work?
Yes, however, be aware that a la calc will treat blank values in your custom ingredient as '0' when calculating your nutritional values. It is advised that you fill as much information as you can and be aware that any missing nutrients may be slightly inaccurate in the end result.
I purchased recipes/subscription but it isn't showing up on my account yet, why?
We use paypal for processing payments and very occasionally (approximately 1%) paypal take a day or two to verify the payment. This is for security purposes. a la calc will automatically credit your account as soon as the payment clears, however, if you urgently need your recipes/subscription please contact us and we will arrange some temporary recipes to get you started.
How can I get an invoice?
You can access your orders and invoices through My Workspace > My Account > Invoices, from there you can download a PDF of your invoice if paid using the automated paypal payments. Otherwise, contact us at [email protected] and we will gladly raise an invoice for you manually.
a la calc is not VAT registered and so do not add a charge for VAT on your orders/invoices.
One of my ingredients has only 'g', 'kg', 'lb' and 'oz'? I would like to use 'ml', 'l', 'fl oz', ...
We are constantly working to fill gaps in our database, including weight measurements. If you would like to see a particular gap filled for your needs please contact us at [email protected] and we will make it a priority. Alternatively, you can easily create a copy of that ingredient and add new needed measurements yourself.
Can other people see my recipes / custom ingredients?
Only you can view or change your recipes and ingredients by default. However, you can share a recipe with the 'Share link' button in the 'Nutrition' tab of a recipe.
Can I use a la calc with Windows, Linux, on a Mac or with an iPad or Android tablet?
Yes, a la calc is an online application and can be used from any internet connected device with a javascript enabled browser.
Does a la calc calculate '5-a-day' results?
Currently the a la calc does not offer an automated calculation for 5-a-day counts. However, to do this manually is very simple. Just add up the weights of all your fruit and vegetables and divide by 80g.
Does a la calc work on animal food?
Yes, with the limitation that our nutrition databases do not cover food specifically designed for animals, and our Guideline Daily Amounts only refer to food for human consumption. However nutrition information can still be calculated if you add custom ingredients to a la calc. You would have to know the nutritional values of the item of food from the retail packet or get them from the manufacturers.
I would like to integrate my software with a la calc. Do you offer an API?
Do you have more information on how to use a la calc, guidelines for labelling, information about the nutritional databases, etc?