# USDA FoodData Central API

> USDA FoodData Central provides food search results and nutrition facts by amount as a workflow and API.

USDA FoodData Central (FDC) finds USDA foods and branded products from a food or brand name, with optional food type and result count. Get nutrition facts returns nutrients per 100 grams and for a chosen amount; provide a food name and optionally an amount.

- Page: https://fous.com/workflows/usda-fooddata-central
- Handle: `@usda-fooddata-central`
- Category: [Health](https://fous.com/workflows/category/health)
- Source website: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026
- Fous is not affiliated with USDA FoodData Central.

## Methods

### Get nutrition facts

Operation `get_nutrition_facts`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Get USDA nutrition facts per 100 g and for a chosen amount of a food. Household amounts require a matching listed portion; unavailable nutrients are null.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `food` | string | yes | `"cooked brown rice"` | Food in plain words, for example banana or cooked brown rice. |
| `amount` | string | no | `"1 cup"` | Amount to calculate, for example 1 cup, 150 g, or 2 large. Defaults to 100 g. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "food"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "food": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Food in plain words, for example banana or cooked brown rice.",
      "examples": [
        "cooked brown rice",
        "banana"
      ]
    },
    "amount": {
      "type": "string",
      "default": "100 g",
      "description": "Amount to calculate, for example 1 cup, 150 g, or 2 large. Defaults to 100 g.",
      "examples": [
        "1 cup",
        "2 large"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "food": "cooked brown rice",
      "amount": "1 cup"
    },
    {
      "food": "banana",
      "amount": "2 large"
    },
    {
      "food": "banana"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `fdc_id` | integer | `169704` |  |
| `page_link` | string | `"https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/169704/nutrients"` |  |
| `per_100_g` | object |  |  |
| `per_100_g.fiber_g` | number or null | `1.6` | Fiber in grams |
| `per_100_g.iron_mg` | number or null | `0.56` | Iron in milligrams |
| `per_100_g.sugars_g` | number or null | `0.24` | Sugars in grams |
| `per_100_g.protein_g` | number or null | `2.74` | Protein in grams |
| `per_100_g.sodium_mg` | number or null | `4` | Sodium in milligrams |
| `per_100_g.calcium_mg` | number or null | `3` | Calcium in milligrams |
| `per_100_g.total_fat_g` | number or null | `0.97` | Total fat in grams |
| `per_100_g.potassium_mg` | number or null | `86` | Potassium in milligrams |
| `per_100_g.vitamin_c_mg` | number or null | `0` | Vitamin C in milligrams |
| `per_100_g.vitamin_d_ug` | number or null | `0` | Vitamin D in micrograms |
| `per_100_g.calories_kcal` | number or null | `123` | Calories in kilocalories |
| `per_100_g.cholesterol_mg` | number or null | `0` | Cholesterol in milligrams |
| `per_100_g.carbohydrates_g` | number or null | `25.6` | Carbohydrates in grams |
| `per_100_g.saturated_fat_g` | number or null | `0.26` | Saturated fat in grams |
| `per_amount` | object |  |  |
| `per_amount.fiber_g` | number or null | `3.232` | Fiber in grams |
| `per_amount.iron_mg` | number or null | `1.1312` | Iron in milligrams |
| `per_amount.sugars_g` | number or null | `0.4848` | Sugars in grams |
| `per_amount.protein_g` | number or null | `5.5348` | Protein in grams |
| `per_amount.sodium_mg` | number or null | `8.08` | Sodium in milligrams |
| `per_amount.calcium_mg` | number or null | `6.06` | Calcium in milligrams |
| `per_amount.total_fat_g` | number or null | `1.9594` | Total fat in grams |
| `per_amount.potassium_mg` | number or null | `173.72` | Potassium in milligrams |
| `per_amount.vitamin_c_mg` | number or null | `0` | Vitamin C in milligrams |
| `per_amount.vitamin_d_ug` | number or null | `0` | Vitamin D in micrograms |
| `per_amount.calories_kcal` | number or null | `248.46` | Calories in kilocalories |
| `per_amount.cholesterol_mg` | number or null | `0` | Cholesterol in milligrams |
| `per_amount.carbohydrates_g` | number or null | `51.712` | Carbohydrates in grams |
| `per_amount.saturated_fat_g` | number or null | `0.5252` | Saturated fat in grams |
| `amount_used` | string | `"1 cup"` |  |
| `amount_weight_g` | number | `202` |  |
| `data_source_type` | string | `"SR Legacy"` |  |
| `matched_food_name` | string | `"Rice, brown, long-grain, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)"` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "food": "cooked brown rice",
  "amount": "1 cup"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "fdc_id": 169704,
  "page_link": "https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/169704/nutrients",
  "per_100_g": {
    "fiber_g": 1.6,
    "iron_mg": 0.56,
    "sugars_g": 0.24,
    "protein_g": 2.74,
    "sodium_mg": 4,
    "calcium_mg": 3,
    "total_fat_g": 0.97,
    "potassium_mg": 86,
    "vitamin_c_mg": 0,
    "vitamin_d_ug": 0,
    "calories_kcal": 123,
    "cholesterol_mg": 0,
    "carbohydrates_g": 25.6,
    "saturated_fat_g": 0.26
  },
  "per_amount": {
    "fiber_g": 3.232,
    "iron_mg": 1.1312,
    "sugars_g": 0.4848,
    "protein_g": 5.5348,
    "sodium_mg": 8.08,
    "calcium_mg": 6.06,
    "total_fat_g": 1.9594,
    "potassium_mg": 173.72,
    "vitamin_c_mg": 0,
    "vitamin_d_ug": 0,
    "calories_kcal": 248.46,
    "cholesterol_mg": 0,
    "carbohydrates_g": 51.712,
    "saturated_fat_g": 0.5252
  },
  "amount_used": "1 cup",
  "amount_weight_g": 202,
  "data_source_type": "SR Legacy",
  "matched_food_name": "Rice, brown, long-grain, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)"
}
```

### Search foods

Operation `search_foods`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Search USDA foods and branded products by food or brand name. Results are ranked by relevance; calories and serving sizes are null when not supplied.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `query` | string | yes | `"Cheerios"` | Food or brand name to search, for example greek yogurt or Cheerios. |
| `food_type` | string | no | `"branded"` | Choose any foods, generic foods, or branded products; for example branded. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `5` | Maximum number of results to return, for example 20. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "query"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Food or brand name to search, for example greek yogurt or Cheerios.",
      "examples": [
        "Cheerios",
        "greek yogurt",
        "zzzxxyyqqqqnotfood"
      ]
    },
    "food_type": {
      "enum": [
        "any",
        "generic",
        "branded"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "any",
      "description": "Choose any foods, generic foods, or branded products; for example branded.",
      "examples": [
        "branded",
        "generic"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of results to return, for example 20.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        5,
        4,
        7
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "query": "Cheerios",
      "food_type": "branded",
      "max_results": 5
    },
    {
      "query": "greek yogurt"
    },
    {
      "query": "zzzxxyyqqqqnotfood",
      "max_results": 4
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `foods` | array |  | Foods in relevance order. |
| `foods[].category` | string or null | `"Processed Cereal Products"` | Food category. |
| `foods[].brand_owner` | string or null | `"General Mills"` | Brand owner, or null for generic foods. |
| `foods[].description` | string | `"Cheerios Cereal"` | Food description. |
| `foods[].serving_size` | string or null | `"3/4 cup (20g) (age 1-3 years)"` | Serving size shown for the food, if available. |
| `foods[].food_page_link` | string | `"https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2517161/nutrients"` | FoodData Central food details page. |
| `foods[].data_source_type` | string or null | `"Branded"` | USDA data source type. |
| `foods[].calories_per_100_g` | number or null | `359` | Calories (kcal) per 100 grams, if supplied. |
| `foods[].food_data_central_id` | integer | `2517161` | USDA FoodData Central food ID. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "query": "Cheerios",
  "food_type": "branded",
  "max_results": 5
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "foods": [
    {
      "category": "Processed Cereal Products",
      "brand_owner": "General Mills",
      "description": "Cheerios Cereal",
      "serving_size": "3/4 cup (20g) (age 1-3 years)",
      "food_page_link": "https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2517161/nutrients",
      "data_source_type": "Branded",
      "calories_per_100_g": 359,
      "food_data_central_id": 2517161
    },
    {
      "category": "Processed Cereal Products",
      "brand_owner": "GENERAL MILLS SALES INC.",
      "description": "Cheerios Cereal",
      "serving_size": "1 bowl",
      "food_page_link": "https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2777025/nutrients",
      "data_source_type": "Branded",
      "calories_per_100_g": 357,
      "food_data_central_id": 2777025
    },
    {
      "category": "Processed Cereal Products",
      "brand_owner": "GENERAL MILLS SALES INC.",
      "description": "Cheerios Cereal",
      "serving_size": "1 pouch (26g)",
      "food_page_link": "https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/759418/nutrients",
      "data_source_type": "Branded",
      "calories_per_100_g": 385,
      "food_data_central_id": 759418
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Call the API with a Fous API key (`FOUS_API_KEY`). To create one, turn on Developer mode in Fous Studio, then open Keys & connections → API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys).

```bash
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
: "${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example}"

curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 120 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@usda-fooddata-central",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_nutrition_facts",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "food": "cooked brown rice",
    "amount": "1 cup"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
import json
import os
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = os.environ.get("FOUS_API_KEY")
if not api_key:
    raise RuntimeError("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example")

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@usda-fooddata-central\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_nutrition_facts\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"food\": \"cooked brown rice\",\n    \"amount\": \"1 cup\"\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=120) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
// First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
const apiKey = process.env.FOUS_API_KEY;
if (!apiKey) throw new Error("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example");

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(120_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@usda-fooddata-central",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_nutrition_facts",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "food": "cooked brown rice",
    "amount": "1 cup"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

Or describe the data in plain language: send `{"api":"@usda-fooddata-central","prompt":"Describe the data you need, with every detail"}` to the same URL. Fous fills in the input, runs the method that fits and returns only the fields you asked for; `data.route.calls[].request` is the exact call it made. Routing is free; the run costs the same.

## Use cases

- Compare calories and nutrients across foods
- Find branded products by name
- Calculate nutrients for a meal portion
- Review food serving sizes and categories

## FAQ

### Is Fous affiliated with USDA FoodData Central?

No. Fous is not affiliated with USDA FoodData Central. This workflow reads the public fdc.nal.usda.gov website and returns its data.

### How much does it cost?

Each run costs 1 credit. With pay-as-you-go, a credit costs 1¢; monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a USDA FoodData Central account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from fdc.nal.usda.gov when you run it; repeating the same request within a day may return the saved result. Fous checks this workflow automatically; it last passed a check on Sep 29, 2026.

### How many calories are in a chosen food amount?

Get nutrition facts returns calories per 100 grams and for the chosen amount.

### Can I find a branded food by name?

Search foods finds USDA foods and branded products using a food or brand name.

### What nutrients does a food contain?

Get nutrition facts returns available nutrients, including protein, fiber, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals.

## Related

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- [McDonald's API](https://fous.com/workflows/mcdonalds.md): McDonald’s provides menu-item food information for US, UK and Canadian items, plus nearby US restaurants and listed hours today, which may miss unexpected closures.
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- [Food Network API](https://fous.com/workflows/food-network.md): Food Network offers recipes, cooking shows, and food inspiration, with searchable recipes and ingredient, direction, rating, and cooking-time details when available.
- [BBC Good Food API](https://fous.com/workflows/bbc-good-food.md): BBC Good Food returns searchable web recipes, excluding app-only recipes, and full recipe ingredients, steps, and per-serving nutrition when available.
- [Alternative Fuels Data Center API](https://fous.com/workflows/alternative-fuels-data-center.md): U.S. Department of Energy data on alternative fuel stations and vehicles.
- [Food Standards Agency API](https://fous.com/workflows/food-standards-agency.md): Official UK food hygiene ratings for food businesses.
- [All Health workflows](https://fous.com/workflows/category/health)