Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2024
About Cookies
Food Balance Guide ("we," "us," "our," or "the Site") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on foodbalanceguide.info to enhance your browsing experience, understand how you interact with our content, and improve our editorial offerings.
This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, the types we use, how we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences. By continuing to use our Site, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.
The information on this site is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They contain information that can be retrieved when you revisit the Site. Cookies help websites recognize returning visitors and remember preferences.
Note: Cookies themselves are harmless and cannot contain viruses. They cannot execute code or transmit malware, though they can be used to track browsing behavior.
Types of Cookies We Use
1. Essential (Necessary) Cookies
These cookies are essential for the basic functionality of our Site. They enable core features such as page navigation, secure access to user accounts, and protection against fraud.
Legally Required: These cookies are required by law and cannot be disabled. Your consent is not needed for these cookies.
2. Performance (Analytics) Cookies
These cookies collect anonymous information about how visitors interact with our Site. They track metrics such as page load times, which articles are most read, user engagement patterns, and traffic sources.
Purpose: Helps our editorial team understand reader behavior and optimize content presentation.
3. Functional Cookies
These cookies remember your preferences and choices, such as language selection, font size adjustments, article bookmarks, or commenting preferences. They enhance your personalized experience on the Site.
Your Preference: You can disable these cookies, but some Site features may not function as intended.
4. Marketing & Targeting Cookies
These cookies track your browsing behavior to deliver relevant content recommendations and to understand which topics interest you most. They may be set by third-party advertising and content partners.
Optional: You may opt-out of these cookies without affecting Site functionality.
5. Social Media Cookies
When you use social sharing buttons (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), social media platforms may set their own cookies to track your interactions and engagement with shared content.
Third-Party Control: These are controlled by social media companies. Review their privacy policies for details.
How We Use Cookies
- Improving Content Delivery: Understanding which articles and topics resonate most with our readers
- Personalizing Experience: Remembering your reading preferences and saving bookmarked articles
- Security: Protecting against fraud and unauthorized access to user accounts
- Analytics & Reporting: Measuring Site performance, traffic patterns, and user engagement metrics
- Relevant Content Recommendations: Suggesting articles related to your interests and reading history
- Error Detection: Identifying and fixing technical issues to improve Site stability
Cookies Used on Our Site
| Cookie Name | Type | Expiration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| fbg_session_id | Essential | Session | Maintains user session and site navigation |
| fbg_csrf_token | Essential | Session | Protects against CSRF attacks |
| fbg_preferences | Functional | 1 year | Stores user content preferences and theme selection |
| _ga | Performance | 2 years | Google Analytics - tracks site visitors anonymously |
| _gid | Performance | 24 hours | Google Analytics - session identification |
| fbg_bookmarks | Functional | 2 years | Stores your bookmarked articles |
| _fbp | Marketing | 3 months | Facebook Pixel - content interest tracking |
| fbg_language | Functional | 1 year | Remembers your language preference |
| fbg_last_visited | Performance | 30 days | Tracks last article visited for recommendations |
This table is not exhaustive. Third-party services may set additional cookies not listed here. Please review our full disclaimer for more information.
Managing Your Cookies
Browser Controls
You can manage cookies through your web browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when a cookie is being sent. Here's how to control cookies in popular browsers:
Chrome:
Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
Firefox:
Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Safari:
Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
Edge:
Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Clear browsing data
Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit our Site, a cookie consent banner appears. You can:
- Accept All Cookies: Enable all cookie types including optional ones
- Reject Non-Essential: Accept only essential cookies required for Site function
- Customize Preferences: Choose specific cookie categories you want to enable
Third-Party Opt-Out Tools
For digital advertising cookies, you can use:
- Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) - opt out from behavioral advertising
- Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) - manage interest-based ads
- Your Online Choices (Europe) - GDPR-compliant opt-out
Important: Disabling cookies may affect your experience on our Site. Some features may not work properly, and personalized content recommendations may not be available.
Do Not Track (DNT)
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Currently, there is no industry standard for recognizing DNT signals. While Food Balance Guide respects privacy preferences, we do not currently respond differently to DNT browser signals. However, you can control cookies through your browser settings and our consent banner.
Data Retention
We retain cookie data according to their expiration times listed in our cookie table. Essential cookies remain as long as necessary for Site security and function. Analytics data is typically retained for 24 months. You can delete cookies manually at any time through your browser settings.
Third-Party Cookies & Services
Our Site uses third-party services that may set their own cookies:
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how readers interact with our content. Google sets cookies to track anonymous usage data. Learn more: Google Privacy Policy
Social Media Platforms
When you use our social sharing buttons (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), those platforms may set cookies. Review their privacy policies for details on how they use data.
Content Delivery Networks (CDN)
We may use CDN services to deliver content faster. These services may set performance-tracking cookies.
Advertising Partners
Third-party advertising partners may set cookies to serve relevant content recommendations based on your interests and reading behavior.
We are not responsible for the cookies set by third parties. Please review their privacy policies to understand how they handle your data.
Legal Basis for Cookie Use
Under GDPR and other privacy laws:
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for contract performance and legal compliance
- Performance & Functional Cookies: Based on your consent via our cookie banner
- Marketing Cookies: Based on your explicit opt-in consent
You can withdraw consent at any time by changing your cookie settings or using our cookie preference center.
International Users
Foodbalanceguide operates from a global perspective. If you are located outside your country of residence or access our site from a different country, please note that your information may be transferred to, processed, and stored in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws than your home country.
By using our site and services, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your country of residence, which may have different privacy laws. We ensure that any such transfers comply with applicable legal requirements and are made with appropriate safeguards.
For EU/EEA Users: We rely on Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and other approved transfer mechanisms to ensure adequate protection when transferring personal data outside the European Economic Area.
Your Privacy Rights & Contact Information
Your Rights
- Right to Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate information
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data
- Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data
- Right to Data Portability: Export your data in a usable format
- Right to Object: Oppose certain processing activities
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Cancel any consent you've given
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
Foodbalanceguide
Privacy Department
Response Time: We aim to respond to all requests within 30 days
If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy request, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy and, where required, by sending you an email notification.
Your continued use of Foodbalanceguide after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your privacy.
Last Updated: January 2024
Effective Date: January 1, 2024
Questions About Your Privacy?
We're committed to transparency and your privacy rights. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please don't hesitate to reach out to our privacy team.
Contact Privacy Team