Monthly digest
FDA import refusals and import alerts: March 2019
March 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019
In March 2019, FDA refused 747 imported shipment lines (up 77% vs February 2019), added 51 firm listings to import alerts and removed 0; Mexico had the most refusals and FILTHY (filthy, putrid or decomposed substance) was the most common charge (as of October 25, 2026).
Data from FDA public records, last checked .
- 747
- shipment lines refused in March 2019
- +77%
- vs February 2019
- 51
- firm listings added to import alerts
- 0
- firm listings removed
February 2019
Counts can rise after publication because FDA's refusal data includes only final actions and is updated weekly. We recompute every month on each run.
April 2019Countries with the most FDA refusals in March 2019
Shipment lines refused, by country of origin. Each country links to its full refusal history.
Most common refusal charges in March 2019
FDA records one or more charge codes on every refused line, so counts can exceed the number of lines.
| Charge code | Meaning | Lines |
|---|---|---|
| FILTHY | Filthy, putrid or decomposed substance | 152 |
| NUTRIT LBL | Nutrition information missing from label | 135 |
| PESTICIDE | Pesticide chemical residue | 91 |
| UNSFDIETSP | Dietary ingredient without safety assurance | 90 |
| UNSAFE COL | Color additive unsafe under section 721 | 71 |
| UNAPPROVED | Unapproved new drug | 68 |
| LIST INGRE | Ingredients not listed | 51 |
| INCONSPICU | Required information not conspicuous | 47 |
| SALMONELLA | Salmonella | 46 |
| LACKS N/C | Net quantity statement missing | 42 |
Product categories refused in March 2019
| Category | Lines | Share of month |
|---|---|---|
| Fishery/Seafood Products | 170 | 23% |
| Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties | 164 | 22% |
| Fruit and Fruit Products (pit, subtropical and tropical fruits) | 95 | 13% |
| Vegetables and Vegetable Products (legumes, leaf and stem, fruit vegetables) | 65 | 9% |
| Bakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and Icings | 40 | 5% |
| Candy without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum | 39 | 5% |
| Spices, Flavors, and Salts | 24 | 3% |
| Soft Drinks and Waters | 22 | 3% |
| Vegetables and Vegetable Products (root and tuber vegetables, fungi) | 18 | 2% |
| Fruit and Fruit Products (berries, citrus and core fruits) | 15 | 2% |
Import alert changes in March 2019
51 firm listings added and 0 removed. Alerts with changes, most changes first.
| Alert | Covers | Added | Removed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99-05 | Raw agricultural products for pesticides | 14 | |
| 99-08 | Processed human and animal foods for pesticides | 5 | |
| 99-22 | Foods containing undeclared major food allergens or foods | 4 | |
| 16-81 | Seafood products due to the presence of Salmonella | 3 | |
| 45-02 | Foods containing illegal and/or undeclared colors | 3 | |
| 99-39 | Imported food products that appear to be misbranded | 3 | |
| 16-124 | Aquaculture seafood products due to unapproved drugs | 2 | |
| 21-17 | Papaya from Mexico | 2 | |
| 54-14 | Dietary supplement products from firms that have not met | 2 | |
| 99-23 | Produce due to contamination with human pathogens | 2 | |
| 99-32 | Human and animal food products from foreign establishments | 2 | |
| 16-05 | Mahimahi from Ecuador and Taiwan due to histamine | 1 | |
| 16-120 | Fish and fishery products from foreign processors (mfrs.) | 1 | |
| 16-125 | Refrigerated (not frozen with proper labeling) raw fish | 1 | |
| 16-131 | Aquacultured, shrimp, dace, and eel from China and Hong Kong | 1 | |
| 16-35 | Raw and cooked shrimp from India | 1 | |
| 54-16 | Products that are marketed as foods, including products | 1 | |
| 99-19 | Food products due to the presence of Salmonella | 1 | |
| 99-35 | Fresh produce that appears to have been prepared, packed | 1 | |
| 99-37 | Low-acid canned foods and acidified foods without filed | 1 |
Firms with the most FDA records in March 2019
Counts are FDA records dated in the month (refusals, import alert listings and other events), not a ranking of quality.
| Firm | Country | Records in month |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Norte Comercio de Pescados LtdaBelem | Brazil | 59 |
| Smeet Creation Pte LtdSingapore | Singapore | 58 |
| A Ricchigia S.R.LBronte | Italy | 25 |
| Mondo ImprenditoreSan Isidro | Peru | 23 |
| Mecro System SRLRamnicu Valcea | Romania | 18 |
| CV RafPontianak | Indonesia | 14 |
| Dynamic Nutrition Sdn BhdPetaling Jaya | Malaysia | 11 |
| Barcel, S.A. de C.VPueblo Infonavit Lerma | Mexico | 9 |
| Zhangjiakou City Henghong Food Co., LtdZhangjiakou | China | 9 |
| Exportadora Subsole SA Planta Isla de MaipoIsla de Maipo | Chile | 8 |
Questions about March 2019
- How many shipments did FDA refuse in March 2019?
- FDA refused 747 imported food shipment lines in March 2019, compared with 421 in February 2019. Counts can rise after publication because FDA's refusal data includes only final actions and is updated weekly.
- Which countries had the most FDA refusals in March 2019?
- In March 2019, the countries with the most refused shipment lines were Mexico (80), India (73) and Brazil (66).
- Which firms were added to FDA import alerts in March 2019?
- 51 firm listings were added to FDA import alerts in March 2019, most of them on Import Alert 99-05 (14), Import Alert 99-08 (5) and Import Alert 99-22 (4). Firms with the most FDA records among those active in the month include Costa Norte Comercio de Pescados Ltda, SMEET CREATION PTE LTD and A Ricchigia S.R.L. The alert changes are in the table on this page.
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