new to mfp

If you click on "add food" the page that pops up will automatically list foods you have already entered...... (recently/breakfast/dinner/all).

There is a search feature....

I recommend using the search feature - and keep it at a high level until you get used to the names...
eg: Instead of looking for nice big red juicy apple - look for apple - see what options are there, and then re-search and narrow it down.
If you are entering fast food or chain food - just enter the name of the restaurant in the search field eg: Chillis - and see what appears.

input by members which is why you will see differing info for same product. You will need to either match up what you know to be true, (read label and confirm) or also look for which has the highest numbers of confirmations by other users.