# Food Recalls: FDA Food Recall & Enforcement Report Search (`smilemask/fda-food-recall-search`) Actor

Search official US FDA food recall enforcement reports by recall reason (e.g. listeria, undeclared milk), product, recalling firm or state. Returns recall number, class, status, product, quantity, reason, lot codes, distribution, firm and key dates, newest first. Free CC0 openFDA data.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/smilemask/fda-food-recall-search.md
- **Developed by:** [돈벼락](https://apify.com/smilemask) (community)
- **Categories:** Developer tools
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $2.00 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## Food Recalls: FDA Food Recall & Enforcement Report Search

Search official US FDA food recall enforcement reports by recall reason (e.g. listeria, undeclared milk), product, recalling firm or state. Returns recall number, class, status, product, quantity, reason, lot codes, distribution, firm and key dates, newest first. Free CC0 openFDA data.

### What does Food Recalls do?

Search official US FDA food recalls by reason, product, company or state with class, quantities and distribution.

### What can you use it for?

- Monitor new food recalls for allergens or pathogens such as listeria or salmonella.
- Check suppliers and brands against FDA recall history.
- Track recalls distributed in a given state.
- Feed food-safety and compliance dashboards.

### Why use this Actor?

- **Fast and cheap:** lightweight HTTP-based Actor with no browser, so runs finish in seconds and cost very little.
- **No API keys or accounts needed** for the data source (see notes below).
- **Clean, structured JSON** that you can export as CSV, Excel, JSON or XML, or pull through the Apify API and integrations.
- **Scheduling, webhooks and integrations:** run it daily and send results to Google Sheets, Slack, Zapier, Make, n8n or your own API.

### Input

Configure the run in the **Input** tab (all fields have sensible defaults).

| Field | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `query` | string | yes | - | e.g. listeria, salmonella, undeclared peanut, a brand or firm name, or a 2-letter state code. |
| `searchField` | string (reason_for_recall / product_description / recalling_firm / state / distribution_pattern) | no | `"reason_for_recall"` | Which recall field to match. |
| `maxResults` | integer | no | `50` | Maximum number of recalls. |
| `apiKey` | string | no | - | Free key from open.fda.gov raises the rate limit. Stored encrypted. |

#### Example input

```json
{
  "query": "listeria",
  "maxResults": 20
}
```

### Output

Results are stored in the default dataset. Download them from the **Output** tab or via the API.

#### Example result

```json
{
  "recallNumber": "H-1396-2026",
  "classification": "Class I",
  "status": "Ongoing",
  "productType": "Food",
  "product": "Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine packed in a yellow plastic sealed bag with pink and black lettering; label reads in part as \"bettergoods Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine, M...",
  "quantity": "16,002 bags (2,286 cases)",
  "reason": "Contamination with Listeria monocytogenes",
  "codeInfo": "L6080C SEP 20 2027 L6079C SEP 19 2027",
  "distribution": "Walmart DCs and retail locations nationwide.",
  "recallingFirm": "GIAS FOOD INC.",
  "city": "New York",
  "state": "NY",
  "country": "United States",
  "voluntaryMandated": "Voluntary: Firm initiated",
  "recallInitiationDate": "20260903",
  "classificationDate": "20260924",
  "reportDate": "20260930",
  "terminationDate": null,
  "eventId": "99853",
  "scrapedAt": "2026-10-17T20:38:06.143Z"
}
```

#### Output fields

| Field | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| `recallNumber` | string | "H-1396-2026" |
| `classification` | string | "Class I" |
| `status` | string | "Ongoing" |
| `productType` | string | "Food" |
| `product` | string | "Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine packed in a yellow plastic seal... |
| `quantity` | string | "16,002 bags (2,286 cases)" |
| `reason` | string | "Contamination with Listeria monocytogenes" |
| `codeInfo` | string | "L6080C SEP 20 2027 L6079C SEP 19 2027" |
| `distribution` | string | "Walmart DCs and retail locations nationwide." |
| `recallingFirm` | string | "GIAS FOOD INC." |
| `city` | string | "New York" |
| `state` | string | "NY" |
| `country` | string | "United States" |
| `voluntaryMandated` | string | "Voluntary: Firm initiated" |
| `recallInitiationDate` | string | "20260903" |
| `classificationDate` | string | "20260924" |
| `reportDate` | string | "20260930" |
| `terminationDate` | null | null |
| `eventId` | string | "99853" |
| `scrapedAt` | string | "2026-10-17T20:38:06.143Z" |

### How much does it cost?

The Actor is billed by Apify according to the pricing shown on the **Pricing** tab of this page. Runs are small and fast, and the Apify Free plan includes monthly platform credits so you can try it at no cost. You can set a maximum cost per run, and the Actor stops cleanly when that limit is reached.

### Notes and limitations

- Source: openFDA food enforcement endpoint (US FDA), newest report first. Class I is the most serious.
- Dates are YYYYMMDD as published by the FDA. Informational only.

### Tips

- Start with a small test run, then scale up the input.
- Use **Schedules** to automate recurring runs and **Webhooks** or **Integrations** to deliver the data where you need it.
- Call the Actor from your code with the Apify API or the official JavaScript and Python clients.

### FAQ

**Can I use my own openFDA key?**

Yes, paste it in the optional API key field for higher rate limits.

**How fresh is the data?**

openFDA updates enforcement reports weekly.

### Feedback

Found a bug or need an extra field? Open an issue from the **Issues** tab of this Actor and it will be looked at quickly.

### More tools from the same author

- [Product Recalls: CPSC Consumer Product Safety Recall Search](https://apify.com/SmileMask/cpsc-consumer-product-recalls) - Search official US CPSC consumer product recalls by product, company, hazard and date with remedies and units.
- [FDA Drug Label Search: Ingredients, Warnings & Indications](https://apify.com/SmileMask/fda-drug-label-search) - Search official FDA drug labels: active ingredients, indications, warnings, dosage and manufacturers.
- [Food Barcode Lookup: Nutrition, Nutri-Score & Allergens (OFF)](https://apify.com/SmileMask/open-food-facts-product-lookup) - Look up food barcodes (EAN/UPC) in Open Food Facts: nutrition per 100g, Nutri-Score, NOVA, allergens, ingredients.

# Changelog

This Actor's version history is a separate document: https://apify.com/smilemask/fda-food-recall-search/changelog.md

# Actor input Schema

## `query` (type: `string`):

e.g. listeria, salmonella, undeclared peanut, a brand or firm name, or a 2-letter state code.

## `searchField` (type: `string`):

Which recall field to match.

## `maxResults` (type: `integer`):

Maximum number of recalls.

## `apiKey` (type: `string`):

Free key from open.fda.gov raises the rate limit. Stored encrypted.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "query": "listeria",
  "searchField": "reason_for_recall",
  "maxResults": 20
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

No description

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "query": "listeria",
    "maxResults": 20
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("smilemask/fda-food-recall-search").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "query": "listeria",
    "maxResults": 20,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("smilemask/fda-food-recall-search").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "query": "listeria",
  "maxResults": 20
}' |
apify call smilemask/fda-food-recall-search --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,smilemask/fda-food-recall-search"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/4jSgPWaFR1LkrAk0u/builds/ouWMf6OV2Qs2Kdbvk/openapi.json