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FDA import refusals

FDA import refusals from China

Food, dietary supplements and animal food · October 2016 to October 15, 2026 · how the data is collected

FDA refused 7,969 shipment lines from China between October 2016 and October 2026, including 1,108 in 2026 through October 15, 2026; the most common charges were MELAMINE, FILTHY and POISONOUS, and the most refused category was root vegetables and mushrooms.

Data from FDA public records, last checked .

7,969
refused shipment lines since October 2016
1,108
refused so far in 2026
3,982
China firms with an FDA record
1,440
firms on an active import alert

Refusals from China 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.05001K1.5K2016 (from October 1): 146 refusal lines’162017: 799 refusal lines’172018: 840 refusal lines’182019: 748 refusal lines’192020: 560 refusal lines’202021: 491 refusal lines’212022: 634 refusal lines’222023: 562 refusal lines’232024: 740 refusal lines’242025: 1,341 refusal lines1,341’252026 (year to date): 1,108 refusal lines1,108’26*
* 2026 is year to date, through October 15, 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)1,108
20251,341+81%
2024740+32%
2023562-11%
2022634+29%
2021491-12%
2020560-25%
2019748-11%
2018840+5%
2017799
2016 (from Oct)146

Why FDA refused China 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 China
Charge codeMeaningLinesShare
MELAMINEMelamine1,79520%
FILTHYFilthy, putrid or decomposed substance1,48417%
POISONOUSPoisonous or deleterious substance88810%
UNFIT4FOODUnfit for food85810%
PESTICIDEPesticide chemical residue7899%
LIST INGREIngredients not listed7228%
NUTRIT LBLNutrition information missing from label6908%
NO ENGLISHRequired label information not in English6487%
UNSAFE COLColor additive unsafe under section 7215576%
VETDRUGRESAnimal drug residue5326%

What FDA refused from China, by product category

FDA product categories, most refused first. Open a category for its product, charge and firm tables.
FDA import refusals from China by product category
CategoryMost refused productsLines
Root vegetables and mushroomsVegetables and Vegetable Products (root and tuber vegetables, fungi)Mushrooms and other fungi products, whole (button), n.e.c.; Mushroom, shiitake , whole (button) (fungi); Enokitake mushrooms, whole (button) (fungi)1,179
SeafoodFishery/Seafood ProductsTilapia, aquaculture harvested fishery/seafood products; Eel; Croaker1,120
Bakery productsBakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and IcingsBread/rolls/buns, n.e.c.; Cake without custard or cream filling; Cookie,biscuit,wafer dough, n.e.c.1,078
Tropical and pit fruitFruit and Fruit Products (pit, subtropical and tropical fruits)Chinese red date (jujubes, ziziphus jujuba), dried or paste; Dates, dried or paste; Chinese red date (jujubes, ziziphus jujuba) (pit fruit)722
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.564
Snack foodsSnack Food ItemsPotato snacks (flavored or unflavored), vegetable snacks (other than pulses) baked; Baked snack food, n.e.c.; Snack foods not elsewhere mentioned, n.e.c.381
Vegetables (legumes and leafy)Vegetables and Vegetable Products (legumes, leaf and stem, fruit vegetables)Mustard greens (leaf & stem vegetable); Spinach (leaf & stem vegetable); Spinach, dried or paste333
Ice creamIce Cream and Related ProductsIces, fruit flavored, on a stick, (popsicles, etc.); Ice cream bars; Ice cream, regular, not vanilla or vanillin flavored328
Candy and chewing gumCandy without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing GumGel cups candy; Hard candy without nuts and fruit, n.e.c. (without chocolate); Candy without chocolate n.e.c.284
Berries and citrusFruit and Fruit Products (berries, citrus and core fruits)Orange (citrus); Haw, dried or paste; Pear (core fruit)259
SpicesSpices, Flavors, and SaltsCapsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), ground, cracked (spice); Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), whole (spice); Mixed spices and seasoning with salt, n.e.c.201
Sauces and prepared mealsMultiple Food Dinners, Gravies, Sauces, and SpecialtiesSauces, n.e.c.; Bean curd, n.e.c. (multiple food specialties, side dishes & desserts); Bean curd cubes, fermented (e.g., salted) in oil/sauce/ wine, etc. (mult food spec/side dish/dessert152
Coffee and teaCoffee and TeaTea, green; Tea, liquid; Tea, n.e.c.151
Soft drinks and waterSoft Drinks and WatersNoncarbonated soft drink, n.e.c.; Carbonated soft drink, n.e.c.; Soft drink, milk based (chocolate flavored, etc.), noncarbonated139
Noodles and pastaMacaroni and Noodle ProductsNoodles and noodle products, n.e.c.; Noodles, instant; Oriental noodles (flavored with shrimp,chicken,beef,lobster,crab,plain,etc.)136
Milk and butterMilk, Butter, and Dried Milk ProductsYogurt (plain, flavored or fruit added); Milk, dried; Fluid/dry milk products not elsewhere mentioned, n.e.c.135
Grains and starchWhole Grains, Milled Grain Products, and StarchSoybean flour, meal, or powder; Rice, processed (packaged) n.e.c.; Rice protein128
Nuts and seedsNuts and Edible SeedsPumpkin seed (edible seed); Peanut, shelled; Melon seeds (edible seed)108
Chocolate and cocoaChocolate and Cocoa ProductsChocolate and cocoa products, n.e.c.; Chocolate candy bar, without nuts and fruit; Mixed or assorted chocolate candies (bars, boxes, loose form), with nuts and fruit98
Beverage basesBeverage BasesBeverage base of non-fruit origin, liquid, n.e.c.; Beverage base not mentioned elsewhere, n.e.c.; Grass jelly drink beverage base59
Vegetable proteinVegetable Protein Products (Simulated Meats)Vegetable protein products not elsewhere mentioned, n.e.c.; Soybean protein powder (meat extender); Vegetable protein meat extenders, n.e.c.57
Cereals and breakfast foodsCereal Preparations, Breakfast FoodsOatmeal, regular, fruit or spice added, quick or instant cooking; Rice flakes,puffs,krispies,loops ready to eat; Breakfast foods ready to eat,n.e.c.45
Gelatin and puddingsGelatin, Rennet, Pudding Mixes, and Pie FillingsGelatin, flavored; Pudding (pie filling) mix, n.e.c. (not custard); Gelatin, n.e.c.42
Food additives (flavors and colors)Food Additives for Human Use (flavors, colors, leavening and other agents)Flavoring agents and adjuvants (food additives for human use); All other products, non-nutritive sweeteners; Flavor enhancers (food additives for human use)39
Pet foodPet and Laboratory Animal FoodsPet dog food n.e.c.; Other pet food, n.e.c.; Seafood pet fish food36
Meal replacementsDietary Conventional Foods and Meal ReplacementsDietary conventional foods, n.e.c.; Foods with supplemental nutrients added, with or without artifical sweetners; Meal replacements (not labeled for treatment of disease)31
Imitation milkFilled Milk and Imitation Milk ProductsFilled milk and filled milk products, n.e.c.; Imitation milk or milk type product, n.e.c.; Filled milk, fluid milk type product30
Vine and other fruitFruit and Fruit Products (vine and other fruits)Persimmon, dried or paste; Other fruits and fruit products, other fruit juices or concentrates, n.e.c.; Cantaloupe, dried or paste29
SweetenersFood Sweeteners (Nutritive)Syrups and molasses, n.e.c.; Sugar products, n.e.c.; Food sweetners (nutritive) n.e.c.22
Animal feedNon-Medicated Animal FeedsSoybeans, soybean meal ground grains animal; Animal feeds, n.e.c.; Vitamins22
SoupsSoupsMixed vegetable broth (meat and/or vegetable stock); Mushroom soup; Concentrated broth, n.e.c.14
EggsEgg and Egg ProductsEggs, duck, in shell; Egg yolk, imitation or substitute; Egg yolk, salted or sugared11
Dressings and condimentsDressings and CondimentsNon-standardized dressing, n.e.c.; Condiments, n.e.c.; Pepper sauce (hot, mild, etc.)11
Food additives (stabilizers)Food Additives for Human Use (stabilizers, thickeners, other)Food additives for human use, n.e.c.; Stabilizers and thickeners (food additives for human use)7
Meat and poultryMeat, Meat Products, and PoultryGecko; Combination sausage/salami, n.e.c.; Horse6
Animal feed byproductsByproducts for Animal FeedsPota meal/pulp potato veg byprod; Soybean meal; Wheat gluten4
Vegetable oilsVegetable Oils (Includes Olive Oil)Vegetable oils not mentioned elsewhere, n.e.c.3
CheeseCheese and Cheese ProductsCheese products, standardized, n.e.c.; Cheese, pizza2
Baby foodBaby (Infant and Junior) Food ProductsGoat milk based infant formula product (0-12 months), ready to feed; Other formula products, n.e.c., powder formula2
Color additivesColor Additives for Foods, Drugs, and CosmeticsVegetable juice1

Most refused products from China

FDA's product descriptions on the refused lines, grouped case-insensitively.
Most refused products from China
ProductLinesShare
Chinese red date (jujubes, ziziphus jujuba), dried or paste2383.0%
Vitamin, mineral, proteins and unconventional dietary specialities for humans and animals, n.e.c.2132.7%
Ices, fruit flavored, on a stick, (popsicles, etc.)2112.6%
Mushrooms and other fungi products, whole (button), n.e.c.1742.2%
Bread/rolls/buns, n.e.c.1642.1%
Herbals & botanicals (not teas), n.e.c.1531.9%
Tilapia, aquaculture harvested fishery/seafood products1461.8%
Cake without custard or cream filling1151.4%
Dates, dried or paste1131.4%
Cookie,biscuit,wafer dough, n.e.c.1121.4%

FDA import alerts that list China firms

49 alerts list at least one firm in China: 1,328 firms on a red list, 1,440 firms on any list.
Import alerts listing firms in China
AlertCoversRedGreen
99-08Processed human and animal foods: pesticides465
45-02Foods with illegal or undeclared colors1801
99-21Foods with undeclared added sulfiting agents99
16-81Seafood products: Salmonella98
25-05Dried fungus (mushrooms) from Hong Kong and China: filth73
99-39Imported foods that appear to be misbranded72
99-19Food products: Salmonella64
99-32Foods from foreign establishments refusing FDA inspection61
16-124Aquaculture seafood: unapproved drugs51
99-05Raw agricultural products: pesticides46
99-42Foods: heavy metal (toxic element) contamination43
99-29Vegetable protein products from China: melamine38

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

China 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.
China firms with the most FDA records
FirmCityFDA records
Dasenlin Food Co., LtdJilin219
Labixiaoxin (Fujian) Foods Industrial Company LimitedQuanzhou82
Fujian Ruiyun Foods Co.,LtdLIANJIANG COUNTY,FUZHOU CITY75
Jiangsu Winnie Food Co., Ltd.Nantong69
Leyuan Health Technology Huzhoucompany LimitedZhejiang67
Sichuan Baijia Food Industrial Co.,LtdSichuan61
Xinxing County Hongbao Food Co., LtdJiangmen City58
Shantou Olive Pharmaceutical Co.,LtdShantou57
Three Squirrels Inc.Wuhu53
Jiangmen Ziqiao Food Ltd.Taishan53

Latest refusals from China

The 20 most recent refused lines, each with its FDA source.
Latest FDA import refusals from China
DateFirmProductCharges
Rizhao Rongjin Aquatic Products Co., Ltd.Rizhao, ChinaMusselsMFRHACCPSource
Shijiazhuang Xinyuan Drink Co.,LtdShijiazhuang, ChinaSoybean flour, meal, or powderPOISONOUSMELAMINEUNFIT4FOODSource
Shijiazhuang Xinyuan Drink Co.,LtdShijiazhuang, ChinaSoybean flour, meal, or powderPOISONOUSMELAMINEUNFIT4FOODSource
Jinhua Foodoea Food Co.,LtdPanan County, ChinaEnokitake mushrooms, whole (button) (fungi)LISTERIASource
Fuzhou Dongzhiwei Food Co.,Ltd.Fuqing, ChinaSoft candy with fruit, n.e.c. (without chocolate)FSVP VIOSource
Dasenlin Food Co., LtdJilin, ChinaIce cream, regular, not vanilla or vanillin flavoredUNSAFE COLCOLOR LBLGSource
Fuzhou Dongzhiwei Food Co.,Ltd.Fuqing, ChinaSoft candy with fruit, n.e.c. (without chocolate)FSVP VIOSource
Dasenlin Food Co., LtdJilin, ChinaIces, fruit flavored, on a stick, (popsicles, etc.)UNSAFE COLCOLOR LBLGSource
Fuzhou Dongzhiwei Food Co.,Ltd.Fuqing, ChinaSoft drink, pit fruit flavored, noncarbonatedFSVP VIOSource
Fuzhou Dongzhiwei Food Co.,Ltd.Fuqing, ChinaHAWFSVP VIOSource
Fuzhou Dongzhiwei Food Co.,Ltd.Fuqing, ChinaSoft drink, pit fruit flavored, noncarbonatedFSVP VIOSource
JuxianGyuan Health Food (Zhongshan) Co. LtdZhongshan City, ChinaCakes, filled (other than fruit or jelly)FSVP VIOSource
Dasenlin Food Co., LtdJilin, ChinaIces, fruit flavored, on a stick, (popsicles, etc.)UNSAFE COLCOLOR LBLGSource
JuxianGyuan Health Food (Zhongshan) Co. LtdZhongshan City, ChinaCakes, filled (other than fruit or jelly)FSVP VIOSource
Fuzhou Dongzhiwei Food Co.,Ltd.Fuqing, ChinaSoft drink, pit fruit flavored, noncarbonatedFSVP VIOSource
JuxianGyuan Health Food (Zhongshan) Co. LtdZhongshan City, ChinaCakes, filled (other than fruit or jelly)FSVP VIOSource
Fuzhou Dongzhiwei Food Co.,Ltd.Fuqing, ChinaSoft drink, pit fruit flavored, noncarbonatedFSVP VIOSource
Fuzhou Dongzhiwei Food Co.,Ltd.Fuqing, ChinaSoft drink, pit fruit flavored, noncarbonatedFSVP VIOSource
JuxianGyuan Health Food (Zhongshan) Co. LtdZhongshan City, ChinaCakes, filled (other than fruit or jelly)FSVP VIOSource
Fuzhou Dongzhiwei Food Co.,Ltd.Fuqing, ChinaSoft candy with fruit, n.e.c. (without chocolate)FSVP VIOSource

Questions about FDA refusals from China

How many China shipments did FDA refuse in 2026?
FDA refused 1,108 shipment lines from China in 2026 through October 15, 2026, compared with 1,341 in 2025 (a full year).
Why does FDA refuse food from China?
FDA records a charge code on every refused shipment line. For China the most frequent are MELAMINE (melamine, 1,795 lines), FILTHY (filthy, putrid or decomposed substance, 1,484 lines) and POISONOUS (poisonous or deleterious substance, 888 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 China firms have the most FDA refusals?
In SupplierRadar's records the China firms with the most FDA records (refusals, import alert listings and other events) are DASENLIN FOOD CO., LTD (Jilin) with 219 records, Labixiaoxin (Fujian) Foods Industrial Company Limited (Quanzhou) with 82 records and FUJIAN RUIYUN FOODS CO.,LTD (LIANJIANG COUNTY,FUZHOU CITY) with 75 records. Each firm's page lists every record with its FDA source.
Which FDA import alerts list China firms?
As of October 26, 2026, 49 FDA import alerts list at least one firm in China. The alerts with the most China listings are Import Alert 99-08 (465 firms), Import Alert 45-02 (181 firms) and Import Alert 99-21 (99 firms).
How many China firms are on an FDA import alert red list?
As of October 26, 2026, 1,328 China firms are on the red list of at least one FDA import alert in SupplierRadar's records, and 1,440 firms are on any list.

All China suppliers with FDA records (1,714)

Every China 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.