--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "USDA FoodKeeper" developer_entity: "USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service" bundle_id: "gov.usda.fsis.MobileFoodKeeper" app_store_id: "978186100" google_play_id: "gov.usda.fsis.foodkeeper2" category: "Food & Drink" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Free" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS & Android" app_last_updated: "2025-10-30" report_date: "2026-08-15" last_verified: "2026-08-15T00:00:00.000Z" report_version: "9.0.1" total_reviews: 369 overall_rating: 2.9 sentiment: "Upset" sentiment_score: 15 confidence: "medium" confidence_score: 0.6 top_praise_theme: "Educational food safety content provides valuable guidance for home and professional kitchen management" top_complaint_theme: "Search functionality and category navigation return zero results following the latest major update" review_sample_size: 107 total_review_count: 107 analyzed_review_count: 107 data_age_days: 1 momentum_velocity: "zombie" intelligence_version: 7 nemesis: "Marmiton : recettes de cuisine" competitor_count: 11 tags: ["food & drink", "free", "upset sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "consumers", "looking", "reduce"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/apps/usda-foodkeeper" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # USDA FoodKeeper Intelligence Report ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Food & Drink · Free - **Signal**: Rating 2.91 · Sentiment Upset - **Recent focus**: Search functionality and category navigation return zero results following the latest major update (top complaint) · Educational food safety content provides valuable guidance for home and professional kitchen management (top praise) > **TL;DR:** USDA FoodKeeper is a food & drink app by USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, rated 2.91/5 by 369 users, with Upset user sentiment (15/100), available on iOS & Android. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** - Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** USDA FoodKeeper faces Upset user sentiment (2.91/5 from 369 reviews), with users reporting search functionality and category navigation return zero results following the latest major update as the primary concern. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 2.91/5 (369 reviews) | | **User Mood** | Upset | | **Category** | Food & Drink | | **Developer** | USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service | | **Pricing** | Free | | **Platforms** | iOS & Android | | **Confidence** | Medium (0.6/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 1d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service - **Category:** Food & Drink - **Target Audience:** U.S. consumers looking to reduce household food waste and manage food safety through proper storage practices. - **Platforms:** iOS & Android - **Version Reviewed:** 9.0.0 - **Report Date:** 2026-08-15 - **Signal Count:** 107 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** Medium (0.6/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 978186100 - **Bundle ID:** gov.usda.fsis.MobileFoodKeeper - **Google Play ID:** gov.usda.fsis.foodkeeper2 - **Performance Trend:** Declining - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-08-15 ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** USDA FoodKeeper is a free reference tool for U.S. consumers, providing storage guidelines for pantry and freezer items on iOS and Android. **Why users hire it:** The tool serves to reduce household food waste by providing authoritative storage timelines, though current technical failures prevent users from accessing this data. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Standard] Food Storage Guidelines:** Database of recommended storage times for pantry, refrigerator, and freezer items. * *User Intent:* Users need clear guidance to understand and adopt the product quickly. - **[Differentiator] Recall Notifications:** Alerts regarding food safety recalls pushed to the user device. * *User Intent:* Users want timely prompts to stay engaged without missing updates. ## Market Position {#market-position} USDA FoodKeeper occupies a niche utility space in the Food & Drink category, currently ranking #93 Free in its primary category. The lack of updates since October 2025 has caused a significant performance gap compared to commercial recipe apps that maintain active feature development. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Free - **Tiers:** Entirely free, no in-app purchases or subscription tiers - **Analysis:** The app operates as a public service tool provided by the USDA with no monetization model. ## 🔴 User Sentiment (Medium Confidence: 107 of 107 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 2.91/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 2.2/5 (110 ratings) | Android 3.2/5 (259 ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Upset ### Top Praises - **Educational food safety content provides valuable guidance for home and professional kitchen management** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Search functionality and category navigation return zero results following the latest major update** ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Authoritative USDA food safety data provides a trust-based barrier **Growth Levers:** - Cook-with-pantry tool would align with waste reduction mission ## Recent Changes (v6 → v7) {#recent-changes} The app has transitioned from a dormant state to a state of functional collapse, with confirmed search and navigation failures now driving a specific category rank of #93 Free. This decline in utility is further underscored by the emergence of AllergyCheck as a direct competitive threat to the app's safety-focused value proposition. **Overall trend**: Declining **Compared at**: 2026-08-15 ### High-impact changes - **[Shifted] Market visibility metrics** (positioning) ### Medium-impact changes - **[Shifted] Competitive threat refinement** (swot) - **[] Editorial stance on monetization** (positioning) ## Rivals Landscape {#rivals} > Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals. ### USDA FoodKeeper vs Marmiton : recettes de cuisine - **[Marmiton : recettes de cuisine](https://marlvel.ai/apps/marmiton-recettes-de-cuisine)** by auFeminin.com: Marmiton dominates the food category by providing a comprehensive ecosystem for recipe discovery and meal planning, directly competing for the user's time spent managing food-related activities. - **Key differences:** - Offers robust community-driven recipe sharing and social engagement features absent in the USDA utility app - Provides advanced utility tools like PDF recipe exports and weekly menu planners for power users - Maintains a high-frequency update cadence that keeps the user interface modern and highly responsive ### Contenders (Strong Challengers) - **[Vegan Recipes & Meal Plans](https://marlvel.ai/apps/vegan-recipes-meal-plans)** by Broftware House Yazilim Tasarim Anonim Sirketi: It competes by offering advanced meal planning and nutritional data, appealing to users who require structured food management. - Offers dynamic serving adjustments that automatically recalculate ingredient quantities based on user needs - Provides comprehensive nutritional data for every recipe, catering to users with strict dietary requirements - **[All Pancakes & Crepes Recipes](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-eduven-cc-pancakes)** by Edutainment Ventures- Making Games People Play: This app captures a segment of the food-prep market by providing highly focused, niche recipe libraries that solve specific cooking needs. - Includes hands-free cooking modes designed specifically for use while actively preparing food in the kitchen - Provides built-in nutritional tracking which adds value beyond simple recipe storage - **[Healthy Recipes - Low Calorie](https://marlvel.ai/apps/healthy-recipes-low-calorie)** by Elsa George: It targets health-conscious users who overlap with the USDA app's audience by focusing on dietary-specific recipe content and video tutorials. - Integrates instructional cooking videos that provide a more immersive learning experience than static text - Focuses on specific dietary outcomes which attracts a more loyal, goal-oriented user base - **[Crockpot Recipes: Slow Cooker](https://marlvel.ai/apps/crockpot-recipes-slow-cooker)** by Elsa George: This app competes for the same home-cook demographic by offering specialized, high-utility recipe content that keeps users engaged in the kitchen. - Features an offline-first architecture that ensures recipe access without requiring a stable internet connection - Curates a highly specific niche library that simplifies decision-making for slow-cooker enthusiasts ### Peers (What They Do Better) - **[Inside Scoop Malaysia](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-insidescoop-loyaltyapp)** by Inside Scoop: This app competes for the user's attention within the food category by leveraging loyalty and rewards to drive engagement. - Utilizes a gamified loyalty program with birthday treats to incentivize frequent app usage - Focuses on brand-specific rewards which creates a strong, localized defensive moat - **[PizzApp+](https://marlvel.ai/apps/pizzapp)** by NFP SOFTWARE: PizzApp+ serves as a technical reference tool for food preparation, mirroring the USDA app's role as a specialized utility. - Provides complex mathematical calculators for dough hydration and sourdough maintenance for professional-grade results - Maintains a high volume of user reviews, indicating a strong, dedicated community of home bakers - **[Pupusas](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-dismarr-pupusas)** by G8n Systems: While niche, this app occupies the same food-utility space by providing specialized order management and calculation tools. - Focuses on transactional utility like order calculation and submission rather than informational reference - Provides highly specific customization tools for a single food item, creating a unique user experience - **[Instant Pot/Air Fryer Recipes](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-digitalapps-pressurecooker)** by Digital Apps Limited: This app provides utility-focused cooking tools that overlap with the USDA app's goal of helping consumers manage their food preparation. - Includes an AI-driven recipe generation tool that creates custom instructions based on available ingredients - Offers a guided cooking mode that walks users through complex steps in real-time ### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative) - **[Anti Inflammatory: Diet Recipe](https://marlvel.ai/apps/anti-inflammatory-diet-recipe)** by Edutainment Adventures Pvt Ltd: This app enters the market with a focus on health-driven recipe discovery, competing for the same audience interested in food quality. - Features a 'Cook With Pantry' tool that helps users reduce waste by suggesting recipes based on current inventory - **[AllergyCheck](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-allergycheck)** by Nicolas Herrera: This newcomer addresses the critical need for food safety and dietary awareness, directly challenging the USDA app's authority in food guidance. - Prioritizes allergen-specific filtering and communication support, filling a significant safety gap in general food apps ## What's New - **Latest (v9.0.1, 6 months ago):** General maintenance including minor enhancements and bug fixes. ## App Momentum (Zombie) {#momentum} - Last major release October 2025. - Zero feature updates in 6 months. - Dormant release velocity. > **Cadence:** 2 total versions · 0 majors in last 6 months · 197 days since last update · 741 days avg between updates ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} USDA FoodKeeper is a food & drink app that is completely free. With a 2.91/5 rating from 369 reviews, it faces significant user friction. > **Bottom Line:** Restoring the backend database connection is the only way to salvage the app's utility, as the current state of technical failure prevents users from accessing the core storage guidelines. Addressing these stability issues would unlock the app's potential as a reliable public service tool. **Best for:** U.S. consumers looking to reduce household food waste and manage food safety through proper storage practices. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [PIVOT] Restore backend database connectivity because search and navigation currently return blank screens → restore core utility ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Cook With Pantry inventory suggestions (available in Anti Inflammatory: Diet Recipe but absent here) ### Outlook: Declining The outlook for USDA FoodKeeper is declining due to a lack of maintenance and broken core functionality. Unless the backend database connection is restored, the app will continue to lose its relevance as a trusted food safety resource in a market that increasingly demands interactive, high-utility cooking tools. - 🔴 The lack of backend connectivity prevents search results from loading, which directly erodes the app's primary value proposition for users. - 🔴 Frequent crashes during the initial setup screen prevent new users from entering the app, accelerating churn before they can access storage data. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 2.91/5 | | Total Reviews | 369 | | Sentiment | Upset (15/100) | | Confidence | Medium | | Pricing Model | Free | | Platforms | iOS & Android | | Key Features | 2 analyzed | | Trend | Declining | | Outlook | Declining | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **USDA FoodKeeper** (this app) | 2.91/5 | Upset | USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service | | [Pupusas](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-dismarr-pupusas) | 4.8/5 | N/A | G8n Systems | | [Instant Pot/Air Fryer Recipes](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-digitalapps-pressurecooker) | 4.4/5 | N/A | Digital Apps Limited | | [All Pancakes & Crepes Recipes](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-eduven-cc-pancakes) | 4.4/5 | N/A | Edutainment Ventures- Making Games People Play | | [Inside Scoop Malaysia](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-insidescoop-loyaltyapp) | 3.7/5 | N/A | Inside Scoop | | [Marmiton : recettes de cuisine](https://marlvel.ai/apps/marmiton-recettes-de-cuisine) | 4.8/5 | n/a | auFeminin.com | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/usda-foodkeeper/id978186100?uo=4) - **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.usda.fsis.foodkeeper2&hl=en&gl=us) - **Sources:** App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*Pupusas*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-dismarr-pupusas) (G8n Systems) · 4.8/5 Rating - [*Instant Pot/Air Fryer Recipes*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-digitalapps-pressurecooker) (Digital Apps Limited) · 4.4/5 Rating - [*All Pancakes & Crepes Recipes*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-eduven-cc-pancakes) (Edutainment Ventures- Making Games People Play) · 4.4/5 Rating - [*Inside Scoop Malaysia*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-insidescoop-loyaltyapp) (Inside Scoop) · 3.7/5 Rating - [*Marmiton : recettes de cuisine*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/marmiton-recettes-de-cuisine) (auFeminin.com) · 4.8/5 Rating - [*Vegan Recipes & Meal Plans*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/vegan-recipes-meal-plans) (Broftware House Yazilim Tasarim Anonim Sirketi) · 4.7/5 Rating - [*Healthy Recipes - Low Calorie*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/healthy-recipes-low-calorie) (Elsa George) · 4.7/5 Rating - [*Crockpot Recipes: Slow Cooker*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/crockpot-recipes-slow-cooker) (Elsa George) · 4.7/5 Rating - [*PizzApp+*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/pizzapp) (NFP SOFTWARE) · 4.5/5 Rating - [*Anti Inflammatory: Diet Recipe*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/anti-inflammatory-diet-recipe) (Edutainment Adventures Pvt Ltd) · N/A Rating ## Frequently Asked Questions {#faq} ### Is USDA FoodKeeper still being updated? The app has been in a maintenance-only state with no major feature updates in the last six months, and users report significant technical issues that remain unaddressed. ### How does USDA FoodKeeper compare to recipe apps like Marmiton? USDA FoodKeeper is a specialized utility focused on food storage and safety, whereas Marmiton is a comprehensive recipe discovery platform with community features and active development. ### Is there a free alternative to USDA FoodKeeper for food storage? While USDA FoodKeeper is free, users looking for alternatives should consider apps like AllergyCheck or recipe-focused tools that include pantry management features to help reduce food waste. ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** - Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** - Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** - Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction into synthesised themes (no verbatim quotes). 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** - Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** - Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.6/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 107 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 1 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/apps/usda-foodkeeper) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.