Our Data Source

USDA FoodData Central

All nutrition data on GetFoodFacts comes from the USDA FoodData Central, a comprehensive public domain food composition database maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central is the official source for food nutrient data in the United States and is widely used by researchers, healthcare professionals, and food manufacturers.

The database includes four distinct data types:

• SR Legacy (~7,800 foods) - The most detailed dataset with comprehensive nutrient profiles for common whole foods, ingredients, and processed foods.
• Foundation Foods (~365 foods) - A curated dataset using the latest analytical methods, ideal for researchers needing the highest-quality reference data.
• Branded Foods (~1.98 million products) - Nutrition label data submitted by food manufacturers through the USDA's Label Insight partnership. This is where you find specific packaged products.
• Survey Foods (FNDDS) (~42 foods) - Foods as typically consumed by the American population, used in national dietary surveys.

How We Process the Data

GetFoodFacts downloads the full USDA FoodData Central database and processes it through the following steps. For complete technical details, see our methodology page.

• Nutrient normalization: We normalize all nutrient values to per-100g servings for consistent comparison across foods, regardless of the original serving size reported in the source data.
• Label rendering: Each food is rendered as a familiar FDA-style Nutrition Facts label using SVG, matching the format consumers see on packaged products in stores.
• Brand indexing: Branded foods are indexed by manufacturer, enabling brand-level browsing and comparison across a manufacturer's product line.
• No estimation: No nutrients are estimated or averaged across foods. Each value comes directly from USDA analytical data or manufacturer-submitted labels. When a nutrient is not measured for a given food, we leave it blank rather than filling in a guess.

The comparison tool lets you stack up to three foods side by side using the same normalized baseline, making meaningful nutritional comparison possible across any combination of whole foods and packaged products.

Data Currency

GetFoodFacts currently displays data from the USDA FoodData Central April 2026 release. The USDA updates FoodData Central several times per year, with the Branded Foods component updated most frequently as manufacturers submit new and revised label data.

SR Legacy and Foundation Foods are updated less frequently, typically annually or when new analytical studies are completed. We update GetFoodFacts within 30 days of each major FoodData Central release. The branded foods segment grows continuously as new products enter the market and manufacturers submit labels.

Editorial Independence & How Content Is Produced

Content on GetFoodFacts is compiled by our editorial team from official source data. Raw USDA FoodData Central and related nutrition datasets are transformed into readable food profiles by our continuous editorial pipeline, then validated against the source before publication. The GetFoodFacts editorial team is responsible for editorial standards, methodology, and corrections.

We do not accept payment, sponsorship, or promoted placement from food manufacturers, brands, retailers, or any other covered entity. Our only revenue source is contextual display advertising served by Google AdSense, advertisers do not influence which foods or brands we cover, and they do not receive preferential placement.

Limitations & Disclaimers

GetFoodFacts is an informational resource. Nutrition data should be one input among many in dietary decisions. Every individual's nutritional needs are different based on age, activity level, health conditions, and other factors.

• Branded data depends on manufacturer reporting: Nutrition information for packaged products comes from manufacturer-submitted labels. Formulations change over time, and the data on GetFoodFacts may not reflect the most current product formulation.
• Serving sizes vary: While we normalize to per-100g for comparison, actual serving sizes vary widely. A nutrient-dense food in small servings may provide less total nutrition than a less dense food eaten in larger quantities.
• Not all nutrients are measured for all foods: Some foods have comprehensive profiles covering 100+ nutrients; others have only basic macronutrients. Blank values mean "not measured," not "zero."
• Not a substitute for professional guidance: Do not rely on this site for managing food allergies, medical conditions, or specialized diets.

GetFoodFacts does not provide medical or dietary advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional, registered dietitian, or nutritionist before making dietary decisions based on nutrition data.

Contact

Questions, corrections, or feedback? Email us at hello@getfoodfacts.com.

We welcome:

• Questions about data sources or methodology
• Reports of apparent data errors
• Suggestions for additional features
• Media and research inquiries

GetFoodFacts is published by GetFoodFacts Editorial, a small independent team that builds free, public-interest nutrition-data portals.