API
Status
Currently the API is mainly used internally for Cordova application, but does not follow good practices in API design. It is also used by several application and while not yet stable, doesn't change much. You can have a look at the source code of the app (https://github.com/openfoodfacts/cordova-app/blob/master/www/off.js and https://github.com/openfoodfacts/cordova-app/blob/master/www/index.html)
Getting help with the API
You can ask for help on using the API in this [channel on Slack].
Testing
- You should do all your test edits on http://world.openfoodfacts.net (ask for the password on Slack)
- Do not hesitate to create a global account for your app if you don't want to implement Open Food Facts user creation in your app right now.
Bugs
- Do not hesitate to file a bug if you find an issue in the API, or need an improvement.
- https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/issues
READ API Documentation
Downloading static data
http://world.openfoodfacts.org/data
Field reference
The fields used in the api. http://world.openfoodfacts.org/data/data-fields.txt
JSON interface
Countries
You can either use the global (world) for locales (fr, en…)
A few things to note:
- if you use a country subdomain instead of world, you get products for that countries only which might change the language but also the name of the fields, in that case you need to use the local language
- http://fr.openfoodfacts.org/categorie/pizzas.json
- an alternative is to specify the language in the subdomain: http://fr-en.openfoodfacts.org/category/pizzas.json
Reading a product
See http://fr.openfoodfacts.org/data or http://en.openfoodfacts.org/data The requested subdomain will be the locale fetched.
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/api/v0/product/737628064502.xml
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/api/v0/product/737628064502.json
Fields within a product
Categories
The categories_hierarchy is sorted by the "level" of each category. Level 0 means the category has no children, level 1 means it has children that do not have other children, level 2 is when it has children that have children that do not have children etc.
Images
- image_small_url
- image_thumb_url
- image_url
Front
- "image_front_url"
- "image_front_small_url"
- "image_front_thumb_url"
Ingredients
- "image_ingredients_url"
- "image_ingredients_small_url"
- "image_ingredients_thumb_url"
Nutrition
- "image_nutrition_url"
- "image_nutrition_small_url"
- "image_nutrition_thumb_url"
Searching for products
General principles
Advanced Search
Parameters
You can basically use all the parameters you'd use in a graphical advanced search on the site
search_url = "http://world.openfoodfacts.org/cgi/search.pl" search_terms2 # search terms # FIRST CRITERIA (TAG0) tagtype_0 search_tag # choose a criterion... # CRITERION brands # brands categories # categories packaging # packaging labels # labels origins # origins of ingredients manufacturing_places # manufacturing or processing places emb_codes # packager codes purchase_places # purchase places stores # stores countries # countries additives # additives allergens # allergens traces # traces nutrition_grades # Nutrition grades states # states # Contains or Not tag_contains_0 contains does_not_contain # Value of Tag (free text) tag_0 #additives additives without # without_additives with # with_additives indifferent # indifferent_additives # Ingredients from palm oil ingredients_from_palm_oil without with indifferent # Ingredients that may be from palm oil ingredients_that_may_be_from_palm_oil without with indifferent #ingredients_from_or_that_may_be_from_palm_oi ingredients_from_or_that_may_be_from_palm_oil without with indifferent # Nutrients nutriment_0 search_nutriment # choose a nutriment... energy # Energy energy-from-fat # Energy from fat fat # Fat saturated-fat # Saturated fat butyric-acid # Butyric acid (4:0) caproic-acid # Caproic acid (6:0) caprylic-acid # Caprylic acid (8:0) capric-acid # Capric acid (10:0) lauric-acid # Lauric acid (12:0) myristic-acid # Myristic acid (14:0) palmitic-acid # Palmitic acid (16:0) stearic-acid # Stearic acid (18:0) arachidic-acid # Arachidic acid (20:0) behenic-acid # Behenic acid (22:0) lignoceric-acid # Lignoceric acid (24:0) cerotic-acid # Cerotic acid (26:0) montanic-acid # Montanic acid (28:0) melissic-acid # Melissic acid (30:0) monounsaturated-fat # Monounsaturated fat polyunsaturated-fat # Polyunsaturated fat omega-3-fat # Omega 3 fatty acids alpha-linolenic-acid # Alpha-linolenic acid / ALA (18:3 n-3) eicosapentaenoic-acid # Eicosapentaenoic acid / EPA (20:5 n-3) docosahexaenoic-acid # Docosahexaenoic acid / DHA (22:6 n-3) omega-6-fat # Omega 6 fatty acids linoleic-acid # Linoleic acid / LA (18:2 n-6) arachidonic-acid # Arachidonic acid / AA / ARA (20:4 n-6) gamma-linolenic-acid # Gamma-linolenic acid / GLA (18:3 n-6) dihomo-gamma-linolenic-acid # Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid / DGLA (20:3 n-6) omega-9-fat # Omega 9 fatty acids oleic-acid # Oleic acid (18:1 n-9) elaidic-acid # Elaidic acid (18:1 n-9) gondoic-acid # Gondoic acid (20:1 n-9) mead-acid # Mead acid (20:3 n-9) erucic-acid # Erucic acid (22:1 n-9) nervonic-acid # Nervonic acid (24:1 n-9) trans-fat # Trans fat cholesterol # Cholesterol carbohydrates # Carbohydrate sugars # Sugars sucrose # Sucrose glucose # Glucose fructose # Fructose lactose # Lactose maltose # Maltose maltodextrins # Maltodextrins starch # Starch polyols # Sugar alcohols (Polyols) fiber # Dietary fiber proteins # Proteins casein # casein serum-proteins # Serum proteins nucleotides # Nucleotides salt # Salt sodium # Sodium alcohol # Alcohol vitamin-a # Vitamin A beta-carotene # Beta carotene vitamin-d # Vitamin D vitamin-e # Vitamin E vitamin-k # Vitamin K vitamin-c # Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) vitamin-b1 # Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) vitamin-b2 # Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) vitamin-pp # Vitamin B3 / Vitamin PP (Niacin) vitamin-b6 # Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxin) vitamin-b9 # Vitamin B9 (Folic acid / Folates) vitamin-b12 # Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) biotin # Biotin pantothenic-acid # Pantothenic acid / Pantothenate (Vitamin B5) silica # Silica bicarbonate # Bicarbonate potassium # Potassium chloride # Chloride calcium # Calcium phosphorus # Phosphorus iron # Iron magnesium # Magnesium zinc # Zinc copper # Copper manganese # Manganese fluoride # Fluoride selenium # Selenium chromium # Chromium molybdenum # Molybdenum iodine # Iodine caffeine # Caffeine taurine # Taurine ph # pH fruits-vegetables-nuts # Fruits, vegetables and nuts (minimum) collagen-meat-protein-ratio # Collagen/Meat protein ratio (maximum) cocoa # Cocoa (minimum) chlorophyl # Chlorophyl carbon-footprint # Carbon footprint / CO2 emissions nutrition-score-fr # Experimental nutrition score nutrition-score-uk # Nutrition score - UK # Comparison of nutrients # Nutriment to compare nutriment_compare_0 # Operator lt # less than lte # less than or equal gt # greater than gte # greater than or equal eq # equal to # Value to compare the nutrients to nutriment_value_0 # Output sort_by # sort_by unique_scans_n # Popularity product_name # Product name created_t # Add date last_modified_t # Edit date # Results per page page_size # page_size 20 # 20 50 # 50 100 # 100 250 # 250 500 # 500 1000 # 1000 #Pagination page=1 #Format json=1 xml=1 #to search results pages on the web site to get results in a jquerymobile format. jqm=1
Examples(remember to do tests on world.openfoodfacts.net - login and password: off )
http://world.openfoodfacts.org/cgi/search.pl?search_terms=coke&search_simple=1&jqm=1
http://world.openfoodfacts.org/cgi/search.pl?search_terms=banania&search_simple=1&action=process&json=1
http://world.openfoodfacts.org/cgi/search.pl?search_terms=banania&search_simple=1&action=process&xml=1
Generic Search
Combining Tags to get custom results
Combining tags works, letting you create thousands of APIs
Languages
Languages on the packaging of the product.
List of languages present on packaging
List of products with given language on packaging
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/language/italian.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/language/italian.xml
Getting suggestions for languages
List of multilingual products
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/language/multilingual.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/language/multilingual.xml
List of products by language count
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/language/1.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/language/1.xml
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/language/2.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/language/2.xml
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/language/3.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/language/3.xml
Labels
List of labels
Individual label
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/label/utz-certified.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/label/utz-certified.xml
Getting suggestions for labels
Categories
List of categories
Individual category
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/category/baby-foods.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/category/baby-foods.xml
Getting suggestions for categories
Status of products
List of States
Individual Status
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/state/complete.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/state/complete.xml
Getting suggestions for states
Packaging
List of Packagings
Individual Packaging
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/packaging/cardboard.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/packaging/cardboard.xml
Brands
List of Brands
Individual Brand
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/brand/monoprix.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/brand/monoprix.xml
Purchase Place of products
List of Purchase Place
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/purchase-places.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/purchase-places.xml
Individual Purchase Place
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/purchase-place/marseille-5.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/purchase-place/marseille-5.xml
Store of products
List of Stores
Individual Store
Country of products
List of Countries
Individual Country
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/country/france.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/country/france.xml
Getting suggestions for Countries
Ingredients
List of detected ingredients
List of products where an ingredient has been detected
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/ingredient/sucre.xml
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/ingredient/sucre.json
Do not make the assumption that the ingredient is or is not present based on this. Parsing errors happen.
Getting suggestions for ingredients (ONLY FOR OBF at the moment)
Trace of products
List of Traces
Individual Trace
Getting suggestions for traces
Additive of products
List of Additives
Individual Additive
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/additive/e301-sodium-ascorbate.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/additive/e301-sodium-ascorbate.xml
Getting suggestions for additives
allergens of products
List of allergens
Individual allergen
Getting suggestions for allergens
Barcodes
List of List of barcodes beginning with a given number
List of barcodes beginning with 3596710
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/code/3596710xxxxxx.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/code/3596710xxxxxx.xml
Entry dates
List of entry dates
List of products with a given entry date
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/entry-date/2015.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/entry-date/2015.xml
Nutrition grades
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/nutrition-grades.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/nutrition-grades.xml
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/nutrition-grade/a.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/nutrition-grade/a.xml
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/nutrition-grade/e.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/nutrition-grade/e.xml
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/nutrition-grade/unknown.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/nutrition-grade/unknown.xml
Packager codes
List of Packager codes
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/packager-codes.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/packager-codes.xml
List of products with given Packager code
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/packager-code/emb-35069c.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/packager-code/emb-35069c.xml
List of Packaging cities
List of products with given Packaging city
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/city/argenteuil-val-d-oise-france.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/city/argenteuil-val-d-oise-france.xml
Contributors
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/contributor/teolemon.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/contributors.json
Photographers
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/photographer/teolemon.json
- http://world.openfoodfacts.org/photographers.json
Informers
WRITE API Documentation
Posting photos
- Use the POST method on /cgi/product_image_upload.pl
- code: the barcode
- imagefield: (front | ingredients | nutrition)
- imgupload_front : your image file if imagefield:front
- imgupload_ingredients: your image file if imagefield:ingredients
- imgupload_nutrition: your image file if imagefield:nutrition
Important:
- there must be a HTTP header "Content-Type: multipart/form-data" in the HTTP POST request.
- the imageupload_(front|ingredients|nutrition) name, size and data needs to be encoded in the multipart/form-data format, usually your HTTP request library will do that for you
- all parameters need to be passed as POST parameters, do not put some in the URL
Example: (remember to do tests on world.openfoodfacts.net - login and password: off )
http://world.openfoodfacts.org/cgi/product_image_upload.pl
http://world.openfoodfacts.net/cgi/product_image_upload.pl?code=654345678
Posting a new product
- Product post to http://world.openfoodfacts.org/cgi/product_jqm2.pl (remember to do tests on world.openfoodfacts.net - login and password: off )
- URL for your tests :
http://world.openfoodfacts.net/cgi/product_jqm2.pl
Quick overview
- var foodfact = { barcode : '3073780969000', name : 'I am too lazy to do my tests on the NET domain', energy: 500, energy_unit: "kJ", weight: 282 };
- var postData = {
- code : foodfact.barcode,
- user_id : "mesinfosnutritionelles",
- password : "****",
- product_name : foodfact.name?foodfact.name:foodfact.shop_label,
- quantity : foodfact.weight?""+foodfact.weight+" g":undefined,
- stores : "Intermarché",
- nutriment_energy :foodfact.energy,
- nutriment_energy_unit :foodfact.energy_unit,
- nutrition_data_per :"serving"
- {"status_verbose":"fields saved","status":1}
Example
(remember to do tests on world.openfoodfacts.net - login and password: off)
Query 1
http://world.openfoodfacts.net/cgi/product_jqm2.pl?code=072417136160&product_name=Maryland%20Choc%20Chip&quantity=230g&nutriment_energy=450&nutriment_energy_unit=kJ&nutrition_data_per=serving&ingredients_text=Fortified%20wheat%20flour%2C%20Chocolate%20chips%20%2825%25%29%2C%20Sugar%2C%20Palm%20oil%2C%20Golden%20syrup%2C%20Whey%20and%20whey%20derivatives%20%28Milk%29%2C%20Raising%20agents%2C%20Salt%2C%20Flavouring&traces=Milk%2C+Soya%2C+Nuts%2C+Wheat
Result 2
http://uk.openfoodfacts.net/product/0072417136160/maryland-choc-chip
Query 2
http://world.openfoodfacts.org/cgi/product_jqm2.pl?code=3073780969000&user_id=usernameexample&password=*****&product_name=KIRI%20GOUTER%20280G%208%20PORTIONS&quantity=282%20g&stores=Intermarch%C3%A9&nutriment_energy=500&nutriment_energy_unit=kJ&nutrition_data_per=serving
Result 2
See editing a product for details on fields
Posting several values for a field
When adding values, send to the field labels as comma separated values that are canonicalized and added to the _tags array
labels = "labelA, labelB"
Reading back, use labels_tags to get an array of labels
Editing an existing product
Posting additional photos
- Photos post on /cgi/product_image_upload.pl
- code: the barcode
- imagefield: (front | ingredients | nutrition)
Select the Front picture
- imgupload_front : your image file if imagefield:front
Select the Ingredients picture
- imgupload_ingredients: your image file if imagefield:ingredients
Select the Nutrition Facts picture
- imgupload_nutrition: your image file if imagefield:nutrition
Editing the product
Give the barcode
code=072417136160
Add the brand
brand=Heinz
Add the name
product_name=Maryland%20Choc%20Chip
Add the quantity
quantity=230g
Add the packager code
emb_codes=EMB%2013330
Add the packaging type
packaging=Cardboard
Add the labels
labels=Vegan%2C%20Fat%20free
Add the Stores where bought
stores=Intermarch%C3%A9
Add the category
categories=Cookies
Add the best before date
expiration_date=
Add the link to the official webpage of the product
link=
Add the ingredients
ingredients_text=Fortified%20wheat%20flour%2C%20Chocolate%20chips%20%2825%25%29%2C%20Sugar%2C%20Palm%20oil%2C%20Golden%20syrup%2C%20Whey%20and%20whey%20derivatives%20%28Milk%29%2C%20Raising%20agents%2C%20Salt%2C%20Flavouring
Add ingredient traces
traces=Milk%2C+Soya%2C+Nuts%2C+Wheat
Add the main language
You can set the main language of the product.
lang=fr
(NOT LIVE YET)In the case of a multilingual product, you can specify the main language of the product, and you can then specify values and images for different languages by suffixing the language code to the other fields.
Add the nutrition facts
Indicate the absence of nutrition facts
no_nutriments : indicates if the nutrition facts are indicated on the food label
Add nutrition facts values, units and base
Define the basis for the values
nutrition_data_per=100g
OR
nutrition_data_per=serving
serving_size=38g
Input values and units
nutriment_energy=450
nutriment_energy_unit=kJ
Values
nutriment_energy nutriment_proteins nutriment_casein nutriment_serum-proteins nutriment_nucleotides nutriment_carbohydrates nutriment_sugars nutriment_sucrose nutriment_glucose nutriment_fructose nutriment_lactose nutriment_maltose nutriment_maltodextrins nutriment_starch nutriment_polyols nutriment_fat nutriment_saturated-fat nutriment_butyric-acid nutriment_caproic-acid nutriment_caprylic-acid nutriment_capric-acid nutriment_lauric-acid nutriment_myristic-acid nutriment_palmitic-acid nutriment_stearic-acid nutriment_arachidic-acid nutriment_behenic-acid nutriment_lignoceric-acid nutriment_cerotic-acid nutriment_montanic-acid nutriment_melissic-acid nutriment_monounsaturated-fat nutriment_polyunsaturated-fat nutriment_omega-3-fat nutriment_alpha-linolenic-acid nutriment_eicosapentaenoic-acid nutriment_docosahexaenoic-acid nutriment_omega-6-fat nutriment_linoleic-acid nutriment_arachidonic-acid nutriment_gamma-linolenic-acid nutriment_dihomo-gamma-linolenic-acid nutriment_omega-9-fat nutriment_oleic-acid nutriment_elaidic-acid nutriment_gondoic-acid nutriment_mead-acid nutriment_erucic-acid nutriment_nervonic-acid nutriment_trans-fat nutriment_cholesterol nutriment_fiber nutriment_sodium nutriment_alcohol : % vol of alcohol nutriment_vitamin-a nutriment_vitamin-d nutriment_vitamin-e nutriment_vitamin-k nutriment_vitamin-c nutriment_vitamin-b1 nutriment_vitamin-b2 nutriment_vitamin-pp nutriment_vitamin-b6 nutriment_vitamin-b9 nutriment_vitamin-b12 nutriment_biotin nutriment_pantothenic-acid nutriment_silica nutriment_bicarbonate nutriment_potassium nutriment_chloride nutriment_calcium nutriment_phosphorus nutriment_iron nutriment_magnesium nutriment_zinc nutriment_copper nutriment_manganese nutriment_fluoride nutriment_selenium nutriment_chromium nutriment_molybdenum nutriment_iodine nutriment_caffeine nutriment_taurine nutriment_ph : pH (no unit)
Units
nutriment_energy_unit nutriment_proteins_unit nutriment_casein_unit nutriment_serum-proteins_unit nutriment_nucleotides_unit nutriment_carbohydrates_unit nutriment_sugars_unit nutriment_sucrose_unit nutriment_glucose_unit nutriment_fructose_unit nutriment_lactose_unit nutriment_maltose_unit nutriment_maltodextrins_unit nutriment_starch_unit nutriment_polyols_unit nutriment_fat_unit nutriment_saturated-fat_unit nutriment_butyric-acid_unit nutriment_caproic-acid_unit nutriment_caprylic-acid_unit nutriment_capric-acid_unit nutriment_lauric-acid_unit nutriment_myristic-acid_unit nutriment_palmitic-acid_unit nutriment_stearic-acid_unit nutriment_arachidic-acid_unit nutriment_behenic-acid_unit nutriment_lignoceric-acid_unit nutriment_cerotic-acid_unit nutriment_montanic-acid_unit nutriment_melissic-acid_unit nutriment_monounsaturated-fat_unit nutriment_polyunsaturated-fat_unit nutriment_omega-3-fat_unit nutriment_alpha-linolenic-acid_unit nutriment_eicosapentaenoic-acid_unit nutriment_docosahexaenoic-acid_unit nutriment_omega-6-fat_unit nutriment_linoleic-acid_unit nutriment_arachidonic-acid_unit nutriment_gamma-linolenic-acid_unit nutriment_dihomo-gamma-linolenic-acid_unit nutriment_omega-9-fat_unit nutriment_oleic-acid_unit nutriment_elaidic-acid_unit nutriment_gondoic-acid_unit nutriment_mead-acid_unit nutriment_erucic-acid_unit nutriment_nervonic-acid_unit nutriment_trans-fat_unit nutriment_cholesterol_unit nutriment_fiber_unit nutriment_sodium_unit nutriment_alcohol_unit : % vol of alcohol nutriment_vitamin-a_unit nutriment_vitamin-d_unit nutriment_vitamin-e_unit nutriment_vitamin-k_unit nutriment_vitamin-c_unit nutriment_vitamin-b1_unit nutriment_vitamin-b2_unit nutriment_vitamin-pp_unit nutriment_vitamin-b6_unit nutriment_vitamin-b9_unit nutriment_vitamin-b12_unit nutriment_biotin_unit nutriment_pantothenic-acid_unit nutriment_silica_unit nutriment_bicarbonate_unit nutriment_potassium_unit nutriment_chloride_unit nutriment_calcium_unit nutriment_phosphorus_unit nutriment_iron_unit nutriment_magnesium_unit nutriment_zinc_unit nutriment_copper_unit nutriment_manganese_unit nutriment_fluoride_unit nutriment_selenium_unit nutriment_chromium_unit nutriment_molybdenum_unit nutriment_iodine_unit nutriment_caffeine_unit nutriment_taurine_unit nutriment_ph_unit : pH (no unit)
Adding the alcohol % of wine
12% wine
nutriment_unit=%25%20vol&nutriment_alcohol=12
Adding the carbon footprint
nutriment_carbon-footprint
nutriment_carbon-footprint_unit
Adding a comment to your edit
comment=Automated%20Edit
Open Beauty Facts experimental and specific APIs
Ingredients
Very experimental. Do not rely on this for allergen or ingredient parsing yet.
List of ingredients detected by the current experimental parser
Products where the current experimental parser could not detect aluminium salts
- http://world.openbeautyfacts.org/ingredient/-aluminum-salts.json
- http://world.openbeautyfacts.org/ingredient/-aluminum-salts.xml
Products where the current experimental parser could detect aluminium salts
- http://world.openbeautyfacts.org/ingredient/aluminum-salts.json
- http://world.openbeautyfacts.org/ingredient/aluminum-salts.xml
Period after Opening
- http://world.openbeautyfacts.org/periods-after-opening.json
- http://world.openbeautyfacts.org/periods-after-opening.xml
List of products with a given Period after Opening
Roadmap
Language Bindings
- Ruby bindings - https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-ruby - gem install openfoodfacts
- Python bindings