FoodData Central vs Open Food Facts
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
FoodData Central vs Open Food Facts: common questions
Which is more reliable, FoodData Central or Open Food Facts?
On our scheduled checks, Open Food Facts leads on measured uptime — FoodData Central at —% versus Open Food Facts at —% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.
Do FoodData Central and Open Food Facts need an API key?
Open Food Facts needs no key, while FoodData Central requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Open Food Facts first.
Can I call FoodData Central and Open Food Facts from the browser?
Yes — both FoodData Central and Open Food Facts send CORS headers over HTTPS, so front-end code can fetch either directly with no backend proxy. That makes them easy to swap in a client-side app while you compare responses.
Are FoodData Central and Open Food Facts free for commercial use?
FoodData Central has unclear commercial terms, and Open Food Facts has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.