What does LEAK/SWELL mean on an FDA refusal?

LEAK/SWELL is the refusal charge “The article appears to be held in swollen containers or contains micro leaks.”. FDA's official statement for the charge reads: “The article appears to be held in swollen containers or contains micro leaks.”

What law does LEAK/SWELL cite?

FDA's refusal charge table cites sections 402(a)(3) and 801(a)(3) of the FD&C Act (adulteration) for LEAK/SWELL, and classifies the charge as adulteration. The table is the Refusal Charges reference file that FDA publishes with its Data Dashboard.

Which countries have the most LEAK/SWELL refusals?

As of October 26, 2026, the countries with the most LEAK/SWELL refusal lines are China (1) and India (1). The full list with links is in the table on this page.

Is there an FDA import alert for LEAK/SWELL?

SupplierRadar found no food import alert whose charge section names LEAK/SWELL. An import alert is a list of firms; a charge code is the reason recorded on one refused shipment line.

FDA refusal charge

FDA refusal charge LEAK/SWELL

The article appears to be held in swollen containers or contains micro leaks.

LEAK/SWELL is the FDA import refusal charge for the article appears to be held in swollen containers or contains micro leaks.; it cites sections 402(a)(3) and 801(a)(3) of the FD&C Act (adulteration). FDA recorded it on 2 refused shipment lines from 2 countries between October 2016 and August 27, 2018, most often for vegetables (legumes and leafy) from China.

Data from FDA public records, last checked October 26, 2026.

2
refused shipment lines carry this charge: 2
countries of origin: 0
import alerts name this charge

What LEAK/SWELL means

SupplierRadar has not written a plain-English version of LEAK/SWELL yet. FDA's own statement is quoted below.

FD&C Act section: 402(a)(3)801(a)(3)
Classification: adulteration

FDA's official statement

Copied unchanged from FDA's Refusal Charges reference table.

The article appears to be held in swollen containers or contains micro leaks.

LEAK/SWELL · 402(a)(3), 801(a)(3); ADULTERATIONFDA reference table (CSV)

Countries with the most LEAK/SWELL refusals

Shipment lines carrying LEAK/SWELL, by country of origin.

LEAK/SWELL refusal lines by country
Country	Lines	Share of LEAK/SWELL
China	1	50%
India	1	50%

Product categories with the most LEAK/SWELL refusals

LEAK/SWELL refusal lines by product category
Category	Lines	Share of LEAK/SWELL
Vegetables and Vegetable Products (legumes, leaf and stem, fruit vegetables)	1	50%
Vegetables and Vegetable Products (root and tuber vegetables, fungi)	1	50%

Latest LEAK/SWELL refusals

The 2 most recent refused lines, through August 27, 2018, each with its FDA source.

Latest FDA refusals carrying LEAK/SWELL
Date	Firm	Product	Charges
Aug 27, 2018	Sichuan Province Chuannan Brewing Co., Ltd.Meishan, China	Tzahp choy (Chinese canned sweet pickles made from mixed vegetables) (mixed vegetables)	UNSAFE COL LEAK/SWELL COLOR LBLG	Source
May 4, 2017	Pachranga International Inc.Panipat, India	Carrot tops, with sauce	LEAK/SWELL NUTRIT LBL	Source

Questions about LEAK/SWELL

What does LEAK/SWELL mean on an FDA refusal?: LEAK/SWELL is the refusal charge “The article appears to be held in swollen containers or contains micro leaks.”. FDA's official statement for the charge reads: “The article appears to be held in swollen containers or contains micro leaks.”
What law does LEAK/SWELL cite?: FDA's refusal charge table cites sections 402(a)(3) and 801(a)(3) of the FD&C Act (adulteration) for LEAK/SWELL, and classifies the charge as adulteration. The table is the Refusal Charges reference file that FDA publishes with its Data Dashboard.
Which countries have the most LEAK/SWELL refusals?: As of October 26, 2026, the countries with the most LEAK/SWELL refusal lines are China (1) and India (1). The full list with links is in the table on this page.
Is there an FDA import alert for LEAK/SWELL?: SupplierRadar found no food import alert whose charge section names LEAK/SWELL. An import alert is a list of firms; a charge code is the reason recorded on one refused shipment line.

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SupplierRadar is not affiliated with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Data comes from public FDA records and may contain errors. This is not legal advice; importers remain responsible for their supplier evaluations.