Monthly digest
FDA import refusals and import alerts: March 2021
March 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021
In March 2021, FDA refused 489 imported shipment lines (up 41% vs February 2021), added 52 firm listings to import alerts and removed 0; Brazil had the most refusals and NO ENGLISH (required label information not in English) was the most common charge (as of October 25, 2026).
Data from FDA public records, last checked .
- 489
- shipment lines refused in March 2021
- +41%
- vs February 2021
- 52
- firm listings added to import alerts
- 0
- firm listings removed
February 2021
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 2021Countries with the most FDA refusals in March 2021
Shipment lines refused, by country of origin. Each country links to its full refusal history.
| Country | Lines | Share of month |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 88 | 18% |
| Mexico | 72 | 15% |
| India | 68 | 14% |
| China | 38 | 8% |
| Vietnam | 30 | 6% |
| Malaysia | 20 | 4% |
| Colombia | 15 | 3% |
| Bangladesh | 14 | 3% |
| Canada | 14 | 3% |
| South Korea | 14 | 3% |
Most common refusal charges in March 2021
FDA records one or more charge codes on every refused line, so counts can exceed the number of lines.
| Charge code | Meaning | Lines |
|---|---|---|
| NO ENGLISH | Required label information not in English | 137 |
| NUTRIT LBL | Nutrition information missing from label | 136 |
| SALMONELLA | Salmonella | 71 |
| FILTHY | Filthy, putrid or decomposed substance | 66 |
| UNAPPROVED | Unapproved new drug | 48 |
| PESTICIDE | Pesticide chemical residue | 47 |
| LIST INGRE | Ingredients not listed | 45 |
| LACKS N/C | Net quantity statement missing | 30 |
| ALLERGEN | Major food allergen not declared | 27 |
| NO PROCESS | No scheduled process filed | 22 |
Product categories refused in March 2021
| Category | Lines | Share of month |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties | 83 | 17% |
| Bakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and Icings | 69 | 14% |
| Fishery/Seafood Products | 53 | 11% |
| Fruit and Fruit Products (pit, subtropical and tropical fruits) | 39 | 8% |
| Spices, Flavors, and Salts | 31 | 6% |
| Vegetables and Vegetable Products (legumes, leaf and stem, fruit vegetables) | 29 | 6% |
| Vegetables and Vegetable Products (root and tuber vegetables, fungi) | 23 | 5% |
| Chocolate and Cocoa Products | 23 | 5% |
| Pet and Laboratory Animal Foods | 20 | 4% |
| Candy without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum | 15 | 3% |
Import alert changes in March 2021
52 firm listings added and 0 removed. Alerts with changes, most changes first.
| Alert | Covers | Added | Removed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-18 | Raw shrimp | 11 | |
| 99-08 | Processed human and animal foods for pesticides | 9 | |
| 99-05 | Raw agricultural products for pesticides | 8 | |
| 16-81 | Seafood products due to the presence of Salmonella | 3 | |
| 45-02 | Foods containing illegal and/or undeclared colors | 3 | |
| 99-19 | Food products due to the presence of Salmonella | 3 | |
| 21-07 | Tamarind and tamarind products (fresh, frozen, dried, and/or | 2 | |
| 99-22 | Foods containing undeclared major food allergens or foods | 2 | |
| 99-29 | All vegetable protein products from China for animal | 2 | |
| 99-39 | Imported food products that appear to be misbranded | 2 | |
| 99-43 | Ready-to-eat human food products that appear to have been | 2 | |
| 12-10 | Cheese due to microbiological contamination | 1 | |
| 16-35 | Raw and cooked shrimp from India | 1 | |
| 99-32 | Human and animal food products from foreign establishments | 1 | |
| 99-35 | Fresh produce that appears to have been prepared, packed | 1 | |
| 99-42 | Foods due to heavy metal (toxic element) contamination | 1 |
Firms with the most FDA records in March 2021
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nestle Brasil LtdaAraras | Brazil | 30 |
| Vietnam Happy Chews Pet Food Co., LTDTay Ninh | Vietnam | 18 |
| AB Brasil Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda.Pederneiras | Brazil | 11 |
| Kingdom Honey SDN. BHD.Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | 10 |
| Maplelife Nutrition Corp.Scarborough | Canada | 9 |
| Legumcilan Spr de RLCuapiaxtla | Mexico | 8 |
| Suzukatsu Co., LtdYaizu | Japan | 7 |
| Panificadora Cepan LtdaSao Paulo | Brazil | 7 |
| EtumaxPetaling | Malaysia | 7 |
| Prunus Foods Group Colombia SASCota | Colombia | 7 |
Questions about March 2021
- How many shipments did FDA refuse in March 2021?
- FDA refused 489 imported food shipment lines in March 2021, compared with 346 in February 2021. 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 2021?
- In March 2021, the countries with the most refused shipment lines were Brazil (88), Mexico (72) and India (68).
- Which firms were added to FDA import alerts in March 2021?
- 52 firm listings were added to FDA import alerts in March 2021, most of them on Import Alert 16-18 (11), Import Alert 99-08 (9) and Import Alert 99-05 (8). Firms with the most FDA records among those active in the month include Nestle Brasil Ltda, Vietnam Happy Chews Pet Food Co., LTD and AB Brasil Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda.. The alert changes are in the table on this page.
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