openFDA Drug Recalls Scraper: how to get Enforcement Reports as JSON/CSV (API, Python, no code)

Pull recent FDA drug recall actions. This guide shows the output fields, a working input, and Python, JavaScript and cURL code for the Actor v0iddo/openfda-drug-recalls on Apify.

Open openFDA Drug Recalls Scraper on Apify

What data you get

One row per result. Every row can be downloaded as JSON, CSV, Excel or HTML, or read through the API.

Input example

This is the input that is pre-filled on the Actor page. Change the values for your own run.

{
  "maxResults": 20
}

Output sample

Real rows from a run of the Actor. Fields that name people are left out of the sample.

[
  {
    "recallNumber": "D-0860-2026",
    "eventId": "99712",
    "status": "Ongoing",
    "classification": "Class II",
    "productType": "Drugs",
    "recallingFirm": "Sterling Pharmaceutical Services LLC",
    "firmAddress": "109 S 2nd St, Dupo, IL, 62239-1351, United States",
    "productDescription": "TRP The Relief Products* Gentle Eyes Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, Sterile Eye Drops, 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) bottle...",
    "productQuantity": "14538 bottles",
    "reasonForRecall": "Lack of Assurance of Sterility",
    "voluntaryMandated": "Voluntary: Firm initiated",
    "initialFirmNotification": "Letter",
    "distributionPattern": "USA Nationwide",
    "codeInfo": "Lot # 3279, Exp 6/30/2027; Lot # 3292, Exp 5/31/2027.",
    "recallInitiationDate": "20260820",
    "reportDate": "20260930",
    "centerClassificationDate": "20260921",
    "fdaUrl": "https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/index.cfm?Product=D-0860-2026"
  },
  {
    "recallNumber": "D-0879-2026",
    "eventId": "99866",
    "status": "Ongoing",
    "classification": "Class II",
    "productType": "Drugs",
    "recallingFirm": "SV Labs Toronto Corporation",
    "firmAddress": "296 Orenda Rd, Brampton, Canada",
    "productDescription": "Benzoyl Peroxide Wash, USP, 10%, packaged in a)5 FL OZ (148mL) bottles (NDC 0536-1261-63), and b) 8.5 FL OZ (237 mL) bottles (NDC 0536-13...",
    "reasonForRecall": "Microbial contamination of topical product.",
    "voluntaryMandated": "Voluntary: Firm initiated",
    "initialFirmNotification": "E-Mail",
    "distributionPattern": "IL only",
    "codeInfo": "a) Lot #: 0575-01-366, Exp. Date Jan-27; 0565-02-336, Exp. Date FEB-27;  b) Lot #: 0645-02-355,  0575-02-336, Exp. Date Feb-27;  0565-12-...",
    "recallInitiationDate": "20260901",
    "reportDate": "20261007",
    "centerClassificationDate": "20260930",
    "fdaUrl": "https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/index.cfm?Product=D-0879-2026"
  }
]

Code: Python, JavaScript and cURL

Get your API token in Apify Console under Settings, then Integrations. The Actor id is v0iddo/openfda-drug-recalls.

Python (apify-client)

from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient("YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN")

run_input = {'maxResults': 20}

run = client.actor("v0iddo/openfda-drug-recalls").call(run_input=run_input)
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)

JavaScript (apify-client)

import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: 'YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN' });

const input = {
  "maxResults": 20
};

const run = await client.actor('v0iddo/openfda-drug-recalls').call(input);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
console.log(items);

cURL

curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/v0iddo~openfda-drug-recalls/run-sync-get-dataset-items" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"maxResults": 20}'

Price

$5.00 per 1,000 results. You pay per result row. There is no separate charge per run. Higher Apify plans pay less per result, down to $3.50 per 1,000. See the pricing tab for your plan. A new Apify account gets $5 of platform credit every month.

FAQ

What data does the openFDA Drug Recalls Scraper return?

Each result is one row in an Apify dataset. Fields include recallNumber, eventId, status, classification, productType, recallingFirm, firmAddress, productDescription, and more. The table above shows every field with an example value.

How do I use the openFDA Drug Recalls Scraper from Python?

Install the apify-client package, create a client with your Apify API token, call the Actor v0iddo/openfda-drug-recalls with an input like the one above, and read the rows from the run's dataset. The Python snippet above does exactly that.

Can I use it without writing code?

Yes. Open the Actor page on Apify, fill in the input form (an example is already filled in), press Start, and download the results as JSON, CSV, Excel or HTML. You can also schedule runs there.

How much does it cost?

$5.00 per 1,000 results. You pay per result row. There is no separate charge per run. Higher Apify plans pay less per result, down to $3.50 per 1,000. A new Apify account gets $5 of platform credit every month.

How do I limit the number of results?

Set the maxResults input field to the number of results you need; the run stops there, so it also caps the cost of one run. You can also set a maximum cost for a run in the run options on Apify, and the run stops when it is reached.

Can I send the results to Google Sheets, Make, Zapier or n8n?

Yes. Apify datasets connect to Google Sheets, Slack, Make, Zapier and n8n, and a webhook can call your own service when a run finishes. You can also export the dataset as JSON, CSV or Excel.

Open openFDA Drug Recalls Scraper on Apify

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