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FDA import refusals

FDA import refusals from Mexico

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

FDA refused 13,526 shipment lines from Mexico between October 2016 and October 2026, including 1,231 in 2026 through October 14, 2026; the most common charges were UNSAFE COL, COLOR LBLG and NO ENGLISH, and the most refused category was snack foods.

Data from FDA public records, last checked .

13,526
refused shipment lines since October 2016
1,231
refused so far in 2026
5,083
Mexico firms with an FDA record
3,061
firms on an active import alert

Refusals from Mexico 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.01K2K3K2016 (from October 1): 317 refusal lines’162017: 1,131 refusal lines’172018: 1,248 refusal lines’182019: 989 refusal lines’192020: 750 refusal lines’202021: 825 refusal lines’212022: 2,468 refusal lines2,468’222023: 1,424 refusal lines’232024: 1,301 refusal lines’242025: 1,842 refusal lines’252026 (year to date): 1,231 refusal lines1,231’26*
* 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)1,231
20251,842+42%
20241,301-9%
20231,424-42%
20222,468+199%
2021825+10%
2020750-24%
2019989-21%
20181,248+10%
20171,131
2016 (from Oct)317

Why FDA refused Mexico 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 Mexico
Charge codeMeaningLinesShare
UNSAFE COLColor additive unsafe under section 7214,60321%
COLOR LBLGArtificial coloring not declared4,07419%
NO ENGLISHRequired label information not in English3,03214%
PESTICIDEPesticide chemical residue2,20110%
NUTRIT LBLNutrition information missing from label2,16810%
FILTHYFilthy, putrid or decomposed substance1,6368%
UNAPPROVEDUnapproved new drug1,2716%
INCONSPICURequired information not conspicuous9885%
LIST INGREIngredients not listed9214%
FALSEFalse or misleading labeling6553%

What FDA refused from Mexico, by product category

FDA product categories, most refused first. Open a category for its product, charge and firm tables.
FDA import refusals from Mexico by product category
CategoryMost refused productsLines
Snack foodsSnack Food ItemsCorn chips, fried; Potato chips,fried; Cheese puffs, fired3,958
Vegetables (legumes and leafy)Vegetables and Vegetable Products (legumes, leaf and stem, fruit vegetables)Cilantro (leaf & stem vegetable); Pepper, hot, dried or paste; Pepper, hot, n.e.c. (fruit used as vegetable)2,153
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.1,132
Tropical and pit fruitFruit and Fruit Products (pit, subtropical and tropical fruits)Dates (pit fruit), (pit fruit); Tamarind, dried or paste; Tamarind (subtropical and tropical fruit)1,121
Candy and chewing gumCandy without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing GumCandy specialties, n.e.c. (without chocolate); Lollipop (without chocolate); Soft candy without nuts and fruit, n.e.c. (without chocolate)995
Soft drinks and waterSoft Drinks and WatersSoft drink, citrus fruit flavored, carbonated; Noncarbonated water (nonmedicinal), n.e.c.; Nonalcoholic beverages, n.e.c.604
Meal replacementsDietary Conventional Foods and Meal ReplacementsOral rehydration products; Foods with supplemental nutrients added, with or without artifical sweetners; Dietary conventional foods, n.e.c.595
Berries and citrusFruit and Fruit Products (berries, citrus and core fruits)Prickle pear (core fruit); Raisins (dried grapes) (berry); Lime (citrus)529
Root vegetables and mushroomsVegetables and Vegetable Products (root and tuber vegetables, fungi)Scallions, green onions (root & tuber vegetable); Radish (root & tuber vegetable); Carrot (root & tuber vegetable)461
Sauces and prepared mealsMultiple Food Dinners, Gravies, Sauces, and SpecialtiesMole paste; Sauces, n.e.c.; Mole sauce246
Bakery productsBakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and IcingsPlain cookies,biscuits and wafers, n.e.c.; Cookie,biscuit,wafer dough, n.e.c.; Breads, rolls, buns, etc n.e.c. prepared dry mix without milk or egg241
Vine and other fruitFruit and Fruit Products (vine and other fruits)Hami melon; Cantaloupe (vine fruit); Other fruit and fruit products, jam, jelly, preserves, marmalade, butter or candied, n.e.c.194
SeafoodFishery/Seafood ProductsCrab; Tuna (albacore, yellowfin, bluefin, skipjack, etc.); Shrimp and prawns, aquaculture harvested fishery/seafood products174
Dressings and condimentsDressings and CondimentsPepper sauce (hot, mild, etc.); Salsa; Condiments, n.e.c.168
SpicesSpices, Flavors, and SaltsBasil (sweet basil), whole (spice); Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), whole (spice); Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), ground, cracked (spice)153
Milk and butterMilk, Butter, and Dried Milk ProductsMilk, dried; Milk, concentrated, evaporated and condensed; Milk and cream, n.e.c.126
Beverage basesBeverage BasesImitation fruit flavored beverage base, liquid, n.e.c.; Beverage base, mixed fruit, liquid; Beverage base of non-fruit origin, liquid, n.e.c.96
Chocolate and cocoaChocolate and Cocoa ProductsChocolate bars; Chocolate candy pieces, without nuts and fruit; Chocolate and cocoa products, n.e.c.81
CheeseCheese and Cheese ProductsCheese, hispanic/latino/mexican style, all varieties, including queso; Cheese, pasteurized, process (standardized); Cheese and cheese products, not elsewhere mentioned, n.e.c.80
Nuts and seedsNuts and Edible SeedsPeanut, shelled; Pumpkin seed (edible seed); Sesame seed (edible seed)75
Pet foodPet and Laboratory Animal FoodsRawhide, beef, pet chews (non-nutritive); Pizzles, beef, pet chews (non-nutritive); Ears, combination products, pet chews (non-nutritive)61
Coffee and teaCoffee and TeaTea substitutes, n.e.c.; Tea, green; Coffee, instant51
SweetenersFood Sweeteners (Nutritive)Honey; Syrups and molasses, n.e.c.; Comb honey49
Grains and starchWhole Grains, Milled Grain Products, and StarchCorn, bolted meal or flour; Corn starch; Soybean flour, meal, or powder33
Cereals and breakfast foodsCereal Preparations, Breakfast FoodsCorn flakes,puffs,krispies,loops ready to eat; Breakfast foods ready to eat,n.e.c.; Cereal preparations not elsewhere mentioned, n.e.c.28
Noodles and pastaMacaroni and Noodle ProductsMacaroni; Macaroni enriched; Macaroni and spaghetti products,n.e.c.20
Edible insectsEdible Insects and Insect-Derived FoodsEdible insect salts and spices, n.e.c.; Edible insect salts; Grasshoppers18
Animal feedNon-Medicated Animal FeedsCottonseed, whole grains animal; Grass hay; Animal feeds, n.e.c.15
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); All other products, non-nutritive sweeteners14
Ice creamIce Cream and Related ProductsIce cream, n.e.c.; Ices, fruit flavored, on a stick, (popsicles, etc.); Custard, n.e.c.13
Vegetable oilsVegetable Oils (Includes Olive Oil)Oleomargarine, n.e.c.; Blended vegetable oils, refined, n.e.c.9
Alcoholic beveragesAlcoholic BeveragesWine coolers; Liquors, n.e.c.; Alcoholic beverage, n.e.c.9
Gelatin and puddingsGelatin, Rennet, Pudding Mixes, and Pie FillingsGelatin, flavored; Gelatin, n.e.c.; Rennet, n.e.c.9
Imitation milkFilled Milk and Imitation Milk ProductsImitation milk or milk type product, n.e.c.; Imitation milk, dried milk type product; Filled milk, cheese type product7
Baby foodBaby (Infant and Junior) Food ProductsMilk base infant formula product (0-12 months), powder formula; Toast (baby)4
Meat and poultryMeat, Meat Products, and PoultryAnimal casings, collagen, beef1
Vegetable proteinVegetable Protein Products (Simulated Meats)Combination meat-like vegetable protein products, n.e.c.1
Color additivesColor Additives for Foods, Drugs, and CosmeticsColor for foods, drugs and cosmetics (FD&C) (certified)1
Animal feed byproductsByproducts for Animal FeedsFish meal1

Most refused products from Mexico

FDA's product descriptions on the refused lines, grouped case-insensitively.
Most refused products from Mexico
ProductLinesShare
Corn chips, fried2,74520.3%
Vitamin, mineral, proteins and unconventional dietary specialities for humans and animals, n.e.c.6324.7%
Potato chips,fried5444.0%
Cilantro (leaf & stem vegetable)4223.1%
Pepper, hot, dried or paste4033.0%
Cheese puffs, fired3982.9%
Candy specialties, n.e.c. (without chocolate)3752.8%
Dates (pit fruit), (pit fruit)3182.4%
Oral rehydration products2942.2%
Foods with supplemental nutrients added, with or without artifical sweetners1961.4%

FDA import alerts that list Mexico firms

51 alerts list at least one firm in Mexico: 2,764 firms on a red list, 3,061 firms on any list.
Import alerts listing firms in Mexico
AlertCoversRedYellowGreen
99-05Raw agricultural products: pesticides1,450
45-02Foods with illegal or undeclared colors557
21-17Papaya from Mexico165
99-19Food products: Salmonella134
16-81Seafood products: Salmonella122
99-08Processed human and animal foods: pesticides118
99-39Imported foods that appear to be misbranded103
99-23Produce: contamination with human pathogens93
99-43Ready-to-eat foods: insanitary conditions59
22-01Cantaloupes from Mexico1341
24-11Dried peppers from Mexico49
21-07Tamarind and tamarind products: filth47

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

Mexico 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.
Mexico firms with the most FDA records
FirmCityFDA records
Comercializadora PepsicoCiudad De Mexico1,914
Comercializadora Pepsico Mexico,Ciudad De Mexico698
Laboratorios PiSA, S.A. de C.V (Planta Tlajomulco)Tlajomulco De Zuniga414
Sabritas Planta CelayaCelaya366
Fabrica Pepsico Mexicali S de RL de CV Planta Mexicali IIMexicali285
Barcel, S.A. de C.VPueblo Infonavit Lerma228
Plantas Medicinales de MexicoDELEGACION XOCHIMILCO C.P174
bebidas mundiales,s.a de c.v.Monterrey158
Omega NutritionHidalgo Del Parral131
Sociedad Cooperativa Trabajadores De Pascual, S.C.L.Transito91

Latest refusals from Mexico

The 20 most recent refused lines, each with its FDA source.
Latest FDA import refusals from Mexico
DateFirmProductCharges
Martin Rivero LopezSan Jose Tuzuapan, MexicoScallions, green onions (root & tuber vegetable)PESTICIDESource
Productos Carey S.a. De C.v.Tala, MexicoPepper, hot, n.e.c. (fruit used as vegetable)FILTHYSource
Procesadora de Dulces Tipicos, S.A. de C.V.Guadalajara, MexicoCandy specialties, n.e.c. (without chocolate)UNSAFE ADDSource
Procesadora de Dulces Tipicos, S.A. de C.V.Guadalajara, MexicoCandy specialties, n.e.c. (without chocolate)UNSAFE ADDSource
Procesadora de Dulces Tipicos, S.A. de C.V.Guadalajara, MexicoCandy specialties, n.e.c. (without chocolate)UNSAFE ADDSource
Procesadora de Dulces Tipicos, S.A. de C.V.Guadalajara, MexicoCandy specialties, n.e.c. (without chocolate)UNSAFE ADDSource
Frutos de JaliscoCuauhtemoc, MexicoTamarind, dried or pasteFILTHYSource
MercNaucalpan De Juarez, MexicoVitamin b6 (pyridoxine)UNAPPROVEDSource
Shinsho MexicoIrapuato, MexicoTamarind, jam, jelly, preserves, marmalade, butter or candiedFILTHYSource
Bayer de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.Lerma, MexicoVitamin c (ascorbic acid)UNAPPROVEDSource
Bimbo, S.A de C.V.Cuauhtemoc, MexicoFruit/fruit flavored plain cookies, biscuits and wafersLABELINGNUTRIT LBLSource
Productos Ricolino, S.A.P.I. deCiudad De M Xico, MexicoCandy specialties, n.e.c. (without chocolate)ALLERGENLABELINGNUTRIT LBLSource
Perfetti Van Melle Mexico, SA de CVZona Industrial Parque Industrial Toluca 2000, MexicoCandy specialties, n.e.c. (without chocolate)NUTRIT LBLSource
Beatriz Sandra Tzoyuhua de la CrZongolica, MexicoCapsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), whole (spice)FILTHYSource
Productos Ricolino, S.A.P.I. deCiudad De M Xico, MexicoSoft candy with fruit, n.e.c. (without chocolate)LABELINGNUTRIT LBLSource
Productos Ricolino, S.A.P.I. deCiudad De M Xico, MexicoCandy specialties, n.e.c. (without chocolate)LABELINGNUTRIT LBLSource
Taylor Farms de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.Doctor Mora, MexicoLettuce, loose-leaf (e.g., romaine) (leaf & stem vegetable)MFR INSANMFR INJSource
Comercilizadora de Productos Agricolas Masejo, S De RL de CVMexicali, MexicoDates (pit fruit), (pit fruit)FILTHYSource
Mondelez Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.Ciudad De Mexico, MexicoChocolate chip cookie, biscuit,wafer doughNO ENGLISHLABELINGSource
bebidas mundiales,s.a de c.v.Monterrey, MexicoSoft drink, subtropical or tropical fruit flavored, carbonatedUNSAFE COLCOLOR LBLGNUTRIT LBLSource

Questions about FDA refusals from Mexico

How many Mexico shipments did FDA refuse in 2026?
FDA refused 1,231 shipment lines from Mexico in 2026 through October 14, 2026, compared with 1,842 in 2025 (a full year).
Why does FDA refuse food from Mexico?
FDA records a charge code on every refused shipment line. For Mexico the most frequent are UNSAFE COL (color additive unsafe under section 721, 4,603 lines), COLOR LBLG (artificial coloring not declared, 4,074 lines) and NO ENGLISH (required label information not in English, 3,032 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 Mexico firms have the most FDA refusals?
In SupplierRadar's records the Mexico firms with the most FDA records (refusals, import alert listings and other events) are COMERCIALIZADORA PEPSICO (Ciudad De Mexico) with 1,914 records, Comercializadora Pepsico Mexico, (Ciudad De Mexico) with 698 records and Laboratorios PiSA, S.A. de C.V (Planta Tlajomulco) (Tlajomulco De Zuniga) with 414 records. Each firm's page lists every record with its FDA source.
Which FDA import alerts list Mexico firms?
As of October 26, 2026, 51 FDA import alerts list at least one firm in Mexico. The alerts with the most Mexico listings are Import Alert 99-05 (1,450 firms), Import Alert 45-02 (557 firms) and Import Alert 21-17 (165 firms).
How many Mexico firms are on an FDA import alert red list?
As of October 26, 2026, 2,764 Mexico firms are on the red list of at least one FDA import alert in SupplierRadar's records, and 3,061 firms are on any list.

All Mexico suppliers with FDA records (3,245)

Every Mexico 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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Buying from Mexico?

Check each Mexico supplier against every FDA record in one paste, free for five suppliers. Watch the ones you buy from and get the source the day a record changes.

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.