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FDA import refusals

FDA import refusals from Canada

Food, dietary supplements and animal food · October 2016 to October 14, 2026 · how the data is collected

FDA refused 2,569 shipment lines from Canada between October 2016 and October 2026, including 252 in 2026 through October 14, 2026; the most common charges were NUTRIT LBL, FILTHY and PESTICIDE, and the most refused category was dietary supplements.

Data from FDA public records, last checked .

2,569
refused shipment lines since October 2016
252
refused so far in 2026
1,382
Canada firms with an FDA record
453
firms on an active import alert

Refusals from Canada by year

Shipment lines FDA refused each year. The table has the same numbers as the chart.
Bar chart: refusal lines by 2016 to 2026. The same numbers are in the table.02004006002016 (from October 1): 50 refusal lines’162017: 180 refusal lines’172018: 182 refusal lines’182019: 255 refusal lines’192020: 121 refusal lines’202021: 167 refusal lines’212022: 197 refusal lines’222023: 344 refusal lines’232024: 422 refusal lines422’242025: 399 refusal lines’252026 (year to date): 252 refusal lines252’26*
* 2026 is year to date, through October 14, 2026. FDA's refusal data starts on October 1, 2016, so 2016 covers three months.
Refusal lines by year
YearRefusal linesvs prior year
2026 (to date)252
2025399-5%
2024422+23%
2023344+75%
2022197+18%
2021167+38%
2020121-53%
2019255+40%
2018182+1%
2017180
2016 (from Oct)50

Why FDA refused Canada shipment lines

FDA records a charge code on each refused line; one line can carry several. Each code opens FDA's official statement and the countries and products behind it.
Most frequent refusal charges for Canada
Charge codeMeaningLinesShare
NUTRIT LBLNutrition information missing from label56421%
FILTHYFilthy, putrid or decomposed substance38614%
PESTICIDEPesticide chemical residue34413%
LACKS N/CNet quantity statement missing2399%
UNSAFE COLColor additive unsafe under section 7212278%
UNAPPROVEDUnapproved new drug2218%
DIETARYLBLNot identified as a dietary supplement2138%
FALSEFalse or misleading labeling1766%
FSVP VIOImporter not in compliance with FSVP1756%
LIST INGREIngredients not listed1716%

What FDA refused from Canada, by product category

FDA product categories, most refused first. Open a category for its product, charge and firm tables.
FDA import refusals from Canada by product category
CategoryMost refused productsLines
Dietary supplementsVitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary SpecialtiesVitamin, mineral, proteins and unconventional dietary specialities for humans and animals, n.e.c.; Herbals & botanicals (not teas), n.e.c.; Vitamin, n.e.c.961
Vegetables (legumes and leafy)Vegetables and Vegetable Products (legumes, leaf and stem, fruit vegetables)Cucumbers (fruit used as vegetable); Tomatoes (fruit used as vegetable); Bok choy (leaf & stem vegetable)270
Bakery productsBakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and IcingsBaklava; Sweet goods without custard or cream filling, n.e.c.; Non-standard bread/rolls/buns125
Root vegetables and mushroomsVegetables and Vegetable Products (root and tuber vegetables, fungi)Enokitake mushrooms, whole (button) (fungi); Ginger root, dried or paste; Mushrooms and other fungi products, whole (button), n.e.c.108
Candy and chewing gumCandy without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing GumJellied candy, soft (jelly beans, gum drops, etc.), without nuts and fruit (without chocolate); Soft candy without nuts and fruit, n.e.c. (without chocolate); Candy bar or pieces (not caramel or fondant), soft, without nuts and fruit (without chocolate)100
Soft drinks and waterSoft Drinks and WatersSoda water with fruit flavor, carbonated; Soft drinks and waters not mentioned elsewhere, n.e.c.; Soft drink, cola, carbonated93
Berries and citrusFruit and Fruit Products (berries, citrus and core fruits)Strawberries (berry); Raspberries, red (berry); Blackberries (berry)87
Chocolate and cocoaChocolate and Cocoa ProductsChocolate candy pieces, without nuts and fruit; Chocolate candy bar, without nuts and fruit; Chocolate bars72
SeafoodFishery/Seafood ProductsOysters; Crab; Oysters, aquaculture harvested fishery/seafood products70
Tropical and pit fruitFruit and Fruit Products (pit, subtropical and tropical fruits)Mango (subtropical and tropical fruit); Lychee, lichee, litchi, leechee, juice, milk, creme, drink or nectar, sub/tropical fruit; Other fruits, mixed, flavored jams, jellies, preserves, marmalades, butters and candied68
Snack foodsSnack Food ItemsFried snack foods, n.e.c.; Potato snacks (flavored or unflavored), vegetable snacks (other than pulses) baked; Potato chips,fried61
Animal feedNon-Medicated Animal FeedsAnimal feeds, n.e.c.; Alfalfa hay; Soybeans, soybean meal ground grains animal56
Grains and starchWhole Grains, Milled Grain Products, and StarchRice, basmati, processed (packaged); Rice flour; Flours and meals n.e.c.55
Pet foodPet and Laboratory Animal FoodsPet dog food n.e.c.; Combination products, pet treats; Comb prod pet dog food50
Nuts and seedsNuts and Edible SeedsPeanut, butter; Sesame seed (edible seed paste); Peanut, shelled49
SpicesSpices, Flavors, and SaltsMixed spices and seasoning with salt, n.e.c.; Imitation flavor, n.e.c.; Spices, ground, cracked, etc., n.e.c.46
Coffee and teaCoffee and TeaCoffee, ground; Tea, n.e.c.; Novelty teas, n.e.c.36
Sauces and prepared mealsMultiple Food Dinners, Gravies, Sauces, and SpecialtiesCurry paste; Sauces, n.e.c.; Barbecue sauce34
Meal replacementsDietary Conventional Foods and Meal ReplacementsFoods with supplemental nutrients added, with or without artifical sweetners; Dietary conventional foods, n.e.c.; Nutrtionally incomplete formulations (protein, carbohydrate or fat modulars)33
Milk and butterMilk, Butter, and Dried Milk ProductsYogurt (plain, flavored or fruit added); Whey protein concentrate; Cream, sweet, whipping, table, etc.28
Animal feed byproductsByproducts for Animal FeedsFish meal; Veg byprod n.e.c.; Marine byproducts, n.e.c.28
Dressings and condimentsDressings and CondimentsMayonnaise; Non-standardized dressing, n.e.c.; Chutney20
Cereals and breakfast foodsCereal Preparations, Breakfast FoodsBreakfast foods ready to eat,n.e.c.; Granola bars; Corn flakes,puffs,krispies,loops ready to eat17
SweetenersFood Sweeteners (Nutritive)Coffee syrup; Syrups and molasses, n.e.c.; Imitation maple syrup17
Beverage basesBeverage BasesImitation fruit flavored beverage base, n.e.c.; Beverage base, core fruit, liquid; Fruit beverage base, n.e.c.16
Meat and poultryMeat, Meat Products, and PoultryBuffalo meat (bison)15
Imitation milkFilled Milk and Imitation Milk ProductsImitation milk, cheese type product (soy cheese, etc.); Imitation milk or milk type product, n.e.c.; Imitation milk, fluid cream type product9
Baby foodBaby (Infant and Junior) Food ProductsMixed fruit (baby); Cereal, n.e.c. (baby); Plant-based infant formula product (0-12 months), powder formula7
Vine and other fruitFruit and Fruit Products (vine and other fruits)Cantaloupe (vine fruit); Pomegranate, dried or paste6
Vegetable oilsVegetable Oils (Includes Olive Oil)Sesame oil, refined, single ingredient; Refined vegetable oil, single ingredient, n.e.c.; Sunflower oil, single ingredient6
Noodles and pastaMacaroni and Noodle ProductsMacaroni/noodle products not elsewhere mentioned, n.e.c.; Noodles and noodle products, n.e.c.; Noodles, chow mein5
Vegetable proteinVegetable Protein Products (Simulated Meats)Vegetable protein products not elsewhere mentioned, n.e.c.5
SoupsSoupsMixed vegetable soup; Concentrated soup, n.e.c.5
CheeseCheese and Cheese ProductsCheese and cheese products, not elsewhere mentioned, n.e.c.; Cheese, cheddar3
Prepared saladsPrepared Salad ProductsMixed vegetable salad (with dressing); Salad with egg, meat, or poultry products, n.e.c.3
Food additives (flavors and colors)Food Additives for Human Use (flavors, colors, leavening and other agents)Color adjuncts (food additives for human use); Flavor enhancers (food additives for human use)2
EggsEgg and Egg ProductsQuiche1
Gelatin and puddingsGelatin, Rennet, Pudding Mixes, and Pie FillingsCherry fruit pie filling1
Color additivesColor Additives for Foods, Drugs, and CosmeticsColors for food use (not certified), n.e.c.1

Most refused products from Canada

FDA's product descriptions on the refused lines, grouped case-insensitively.
Most refused products from Canada
ProductLinesShare
Vitamin, mineral, proteins and unconventional dietary specialities for humans and animals, n.e.c.55521.6%
Herbals & botanicals (not teas), n.e.c.1154.5%
Vitamin, n.e.c.662.6%
Cucumbers (fruit used as vegetable)411.6%
Tomatoes (fruit used as vegetable)371.4%
Whey protein powder (vit/min/protein/unconventional dietary spec for human/animal, n.e.c.)371.4%
Bok choy (leaf & stem vegetable)331.3%
Soda water with fruit flavor, carbonated311.2%
Strawberries (berry)311.2%
Swiss chard (leaf & stem vegetable)271.1%

FDA import alerts that list Canada firms

36 alerts list at least one firm in Canada: 445 firms on a red list, 453 firms on any list.
Import alerts listing firms in Canada
AlertCoversRedGreen
45-02Foods with illegal or undeclared colors155
99-08Processed human and animal foods: pesticides86
99-05Raw agricultural products: pesticides51
99-39Imported foods that appear to be misbranded40
99-19Food products: Salmonella28
16-39Ready-to-eat seafood: Listeria monocytogenes25
71-04Animal food: Salmonella16
16-74Uneviscerated salt-cured, dried, smoked or fermented fish7
23-14Food products: mycotoxins7
54-14Supplements from firms not meeting supplement GMP7
99-21Foods with undeclared added sulfiting agents7
99-36Low-acid canned/acidified foods: process information7

The 12 alerts with the most listings. All alerts are on the import alerts page.

Canada firms with the most FDA records

Counts are FDA records in SupplierRadar's data (refusals, import alert listings and other events), not a ranking of quality.
Canada firms with the most FDA records
FirmCityFDA records
Herbaland Naturals IncRichmond208
B.C. Frozen FoodsMission60
Herbaland Naturals IncRichmond53
Opulence GlobalRichmond Hill43
Wah Kiu Import & Export Ltd.Newmarket39
Genex NutraceuticalsConcord32
Gurulucky Snacks & SweetsSurrey31
Ferme M & M LandoSherrington27
ITN FoodToronto26
Omega Alpha PharmaceuticalsScarborough26

Latest refusals from Canada

The 20 most recent refused lines, each with its FDA source.
Latest FDA import refusals from Canada
DateFirmProductCharges
PepsiCo Foods Canada CambridgeCambridge, CanadaPotato chips,friedUNSAFE COLCOLOR LBLGSource
Pepsico Canada UlcCambridge, CanadaPotato snacks (flavored or unflavored), vegetable snacks (other than pulses) bakedUNSAFE COLSource
Pepsico Canada UlcCambridge, CanadaPotato snacks (flavored or unflavored), vegetable snacks (other than pulses) bakedUNSAFE COLSource
StemPhase BiomedicalMono, CanadaAnimal feeds, n.e.cLIST INGREINCONSPICULACKS FIRM+2Source
StemPhase BiomedicalMono, CanadaAnimal feeds, n.e.cLIST INGREINCONSPICULACKS FIRM+2Source
StemPhase BiomedicalMono, CanadaAnimal feeds, n.e.cLIST INGREINCONSPICULACKS FIRM+2Source
Efcon ImportsPort Coquitlam, CanadaSyrups and molasses, n.e.cUNSAFE COLLIST INGRESource
Efcon ImportsPort Coquitlam, CanadaSyrups and molasses, n.e.cLIST INGRENO PROCESSSource
Efcon ImportsPort Coquitlam, CanadaPineapple, dried or pasteLIST INGRELACKS FIRMNUTRIT LBLSource
Efcon ImportsPort Coquitlam, CanadaSyrups and molasses, n.e.cFILTHYSource
Euro Can Manufacturing Inc.New Hamburg, CanadaMammalian organ pet treat (e.g., liver bonbons)SALMONELLASource
Echo Sales AmericaLondon, CanadaCandy without chocolate n.e.cUNSAFE COLLACKS N/CNUTRIT LBLSource
Patisserie Safa Inc.Montreal, CanadaBaklavaUNSAFE COLCOLOR LBLGYELLOW #5Source
Nestle Canada Inc. - Toronto Sterling Rd factoryToronto, CanadaChocolate candy pieces, without nuts and fruitUNSAFE COLSource
PepsiCo Foods Canada CambridgeCambridge, CanadaPotato snacks (flavored or unflavored), vegetable snacks (other than pulses) bakedUNSAFE COLSource
PepsiCo Foods Canada CambridgeCambridge, CanadaPotato snacks (flavored or unflavored), vegetable snacks (other than pulses) bakedUNSAFE COLSource
Wn PharmaceuticalsCoquitlam, CanadaVitamin, mineral, proteins and unconventional dietary specialities for humans and animals, n.e.cUNAPPROVEDSource
Mondelez CanadaHamilton, CanadaFlavored candy, soft (live savers, etc.), without nuts and fruit (without chocolate)UNSAFE COLSource
Border Bean International Inc.Altona, CanadaLegumes, nec (animal food, edible seeds-legumes)AFLATOXINSource
La Confiserie CandylabsMontreal, CanadaHard candy without nuts and fruit, n.e.c. (without chocolate)UNSAFE COLCOLOR LBLGSource

Questions about FDA refusals from Canada

How many Canada shipments did FDA refuse in 2026?
FDA refused 252 shipment lines from Canada in 2026 through October 14, 2026, compared with 399 in 2025 (a full year).
Why does FDA refuse food from Canada?
FDA records a charge code on every refused shipment line. For Canada the most frequent are NUTRIT LBL (nutrition information missing from label, 564 lines), FILTHY (filthy, putrid or decomposed substance, 386 lines) and PESTICIDE (pesticide chemical residue, 344 lines). A charge describes what FDA's reference table says about one shipment line; it is not a finding about every firm in the country.
Which Canada firms have the most FDA refusals?
In SupplierRadar's records the Canada firms with the most FDA records (refusals, import alert listings and other events) are Herbaland Naturals Inc (Richmond) with 208 records, B.C. Frozen Foods (Mission) with 60 records and HERBALAND NATURALS INC (Richmond) with 53 records. Each firm's page lists every record with its FDA source.
Which FDA import alerts list Canada firms?
As of October 26, 2026, 36 FDA import alerts list at least one firm in Canada. The alerts with the most Canada listings are Import Alert 45-02 (155 firms), Import Alert 99-08 (86 firms) and Import Alert 99-05 (51 firms).
How many Canada firms are on an FDA import alert red list?
As of October 26, 2026, 445 Canada firms are on the red list of at least one FDA import alert in SupplierRadar's records, and 453 firms are on any list.

All Canada suppliers with FDA records (555)

Every Canada firm in SupplierRadar's data with an active import alert, a warning letter or at least five FDA records, most recently active first. Each name opens the firm's FDA record history.

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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.