WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration has launched a more consumer-friendly recall search engine on its web site as a part of the F.D.A. Food Safety Modernization Act. The updated site is available at www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/.

“Recalls, mandatory or otherwise, are serious, and we must do everything possible to make it easier for people to know about these recalls so they can take all appropriate steps to protect themselves and their families,” said Mike Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods. “We encourage people to check out our new recalls search page for themselves and use it whenever they have a question about a recall.”

The search results provide information from news releases and other announcements in the form of the table, and that table organizes the information on recalls since 2009 by date, product brand name, product description, reason for the recall and the recalling company. For certain recalls the search results also will provide status information on whether the recall is completed or ongoing.

The F.D.A. was required to provide a more consumer-friendly recall search engine within 90 days after the F.S.M.A. was signed into law in January.

“It is critically important during a recall for consumers to have the information they need to protect themselves and their families,” said Pamela G. Bailey, president and chief executive officer of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. “F.D.A.’s new consumer-friendly web search engine for recalls will help give consumers quicker and easier access to that information. The agency should be commended for its work on this important project and for its ongoing commitment to enhancing the strength of our country’s food safety system.”

Before launching the new search function, the F.D.A. consulted with various stakeholder groups, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Consumers Union, the Food Marketing Institute, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the Pew Health Group and Safe Tables Our Priority to obtain perspective on how to most effectively communicate recall information.