FDA import refusals
FDA import refusals: spices from Mexico
FDA category: Spices, Flavors, and Salts · October 2016 to October 7, 2026
FDA refused 153 spices shipment lines from Mexico between October 2016 and October 7, 2026, 21 of them in 2026; the most refused products were basil and capsicums, most often for FILTHY (filthy, putrid or decomposed substance).
Data from FDA public records, last checked .
- 153
- spices lines refused since October 2016
- 21
- refused so far in 2026
- 10
- firms with the most records, listed below
Spices refusals from Mexico by year
Shipment lines FDA refused each year. The table has the same numbers as the chart.
| Year | Refusal lines | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (to date) | 21 | |
| 2025 | 3 | -86% |
| 2024 | 21 | +200% |
| 2023 | 7 | -22% |
| 2022 | 9 | +125% |
| 2021 | 4 | -69% |
| 2020 | 13 | 0% |
| 2019 | 13 | -64% |
| 2018 | 36 | +71% |
| 2017 | 21 | |
| 2016 (from Oct) | 5 |
Basil refusals from Mexico
FDA refused 44 basil lines from Mexico between October 2016 and October 7, 2026, 29% of the spices lines.
| FDA product description | Lines | Share of spices |
|---|---|---|
| Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | 44 | 28.8% |
Recent basil refusals
| Date | Firm | Product | Charges | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source |
Capsicums refusals from Mexico
FDA refused 33 capsicums lines from Mexico between October 2016 and October 7, 2026, 22% of the spices lines.
| FDA product description | Lines | Share of spices |
|---|---|---|
| Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), whole (spice) | 23 | 15.0% |
| Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), ground, cracked (spice) | 10 | 6.5% |
Recent capsicums refusals
| Date | Firm | Product | Charges | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beatriz Sandra Tzoyuhua de la CrZongolica, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), whole (spice) | FILTHY | Source | |
| Capilla Xochihua, LuisPueblo Tenancingo, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), whole (spice) | FILTHY | Source | |
| Carlos LeyvaTijuana, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), ground, cracked (spice) | LIST INGRENO ENGLISHLABELING+1 | Source | |
| Carlos LeyvaTijuana, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), ground, cracked (spice) | LIST INGRENO ENGLISHLABELING+1 | Source | |
| Javier Blanco PortilloLa Cruz, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), ground, cracked (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source |
Oregano refusals from Mexico
FDA refused 10 oregano lines from Mexico between October 2016 and October 7, 2026, 7% of the spices lines.
| FDA product description | Lines | Share of spices |
|---|---|---|
| Oregano, whole (spice) | 10 | 6.5% |
Other spices products refused from Mexico
| Product group | Lines | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Imitation flavor | 9 | 5.9% |
| Spices | 9 | 5.9% |
| Mixed spices and seasoning with salt | 6 | 3.9% |
| Spices and seasoning | 6 | 3.9% |
| Imitation nut flavor | 5 | 3.3% |
Why FDA refused spices from Mexico
FDA records a charge code on each refused line; one line can carry several.
| Charge code | Meaning | Lines | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| FILTHY | Filthy, putrid or decomposed substance | 35 | 19% |
| SALMONELLA | Salmonella | 30 | 16% |
| LABELING | Fair Packaging and Labeling Act | 27 | 15% |
| COLOR LBLG | Artificial coloring not declared | 17 | 9% |
| UNSAFE COL | Color additive unsafe under section 721 | 17 | 9% |
| MFR INSAN | Insanitary manufacturing, processing or packing | 14 | 8% |
| PESTICIDE | Pesticide chemical residue | 13 | 7% |
| MFR INJ | Insanitary conditions, may be injurious | 11 | 6% |
| LACKS N/C | Net quantity statement missing | 10 | 5% |
| LACKS FIRM | Manufacturer name and address missing | 9 | 5% |
Mexico spices firms with the most FDA records
Counts are FDA records in SupplierRadar's data, not a ranking of quality.
| Firm | City | FDA records |
|---|---|---|
| Deiman, S.A. de C.V. | Mexico City | 17 |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CV | Los Cabos | 7 |
| Grupo Cimer S.P.R. DE R.I. | Jiutepec | 6 |
| Ramos Hnos. Internacional | Camargo | 5 |
| Productora Agricola San Pedro S.A. DE C.V. | Rancheria Centro | 5 |
| Agricola El Lucero Spr de RL de CV | LUCERO DE RAMALES | 5 |
| Cinthya Yohanna Martinez Garcia | Ensenada | 5 |
| Agricola Pao, | Autlan de Navarro | 4 |
| El Molino de la Hacienda S. de R.L. | Pueblo Gral. Enrique Estrada | 4 |
| Tierra de la Milpa SAPI de CV | Miguel Hidalgo Cuidadde Mexico | 4 |
Latest spices refusals from Mexico
| Date | Firm | Product | Charges | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beatriz Sandra Tzoyuhua de la CrZongolica, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), whole (spice) | FILTHY | Source | |
| Comercializadora y Distribuidora Mexicana de Parrilleros Smp, S.A. de C.V.Monterrey, Mexico | Mixed spices and seasoning with salt, n.e.c | UNSAFE COLCOLOR LBLG | Source | |
| Comercializadora y Distribuidora Mexicana de Parrilleros Smp, S.A. de C.V.Monterrey, Mexico | Mixed spices and seasoning with salt, n.e.c | UNSAFE COLCOLOR LBLG | Source | |
| Comercializadora y Distribuidora Mexicana de Parrilleros Smp, S.A. de C.V.Monterrey, Mexico | Mixed spices and seasoning with salt, n.e.c | UNSAFE COLCOLOR LBLG | Source | |
| Capilla Xochihua, LuisPueblo Tenancingo, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), whole (spice) | FILTHY | Source | |
| Carlos LeyvaTijuana, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), ground, cracked (spice) | LIST INGRENO ENGLISHLABELING+1 | Source | |
| Carlos LeyvaTijuana, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), ground, cracked (spice) | LIST INGRENO ENGLISHLABELING+1 | Source | |
| Jose Benigno Osorio OropezaQuecholac, Mexico | Spearmint, whole (spice) | FSVP VIO | Source | |
| Jose Benigno Osorio OropezaQuecholac, Mexico | Spearmint, whole (spice) | FSVP VIO | Source | |
| Sazon Natural S de RL de CVZapopan, Mexico | Cumin, ground, cracked (spice) | POISONOUS | Source | |
| Sazon Natural S de RL de CVZapopan, Mexico | Cumin, ground, cracked (spice) | PB-FOOD | Source | |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| Productores Organicos Del Cabo, S de SS de RL de CVLos Cabos, Mexico | Basil (sweet basil), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| Javier Blanco PortilloLa Cruz, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), ground, cracked (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source | |
| J.Vidal Jaramillo CruzArcelia, Mexico | Capsicums (cayenne chili, hot peppers), whole (spice) | FILTHY | Source | |
| Novaspice, S.A. de C.V.Atzompa, Mexico | Bay (laurel), whole (spice) | SALMONELLA | Source |
Questions about spices refusals from Mexico
- How many spices shipments from Mexico did FDA refuse in 2026?
- FDA refused 21 shipment lines of spices from Mexico in 2026 through October 7, 2026, compared with 3 in 2025.
- Why does FDA refuse spices from Mexico?
- FDA records a charge code on every refused shipment line. For spices from Mexico the most frequent are FILTHY (filthy, putrid or decomposed substance, 35 lines), SALMONELLA (Salmonella, 30 lines) and LABELING (Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, 27 lines). A charge describes what FDA's reference table says about one shipment line, not about every firm.
- Which import alerts cover spices from Mexico?
- As of October 26, 2026, no import alert numbered under this category lists a firm in Mexico in SupplierRadar's records. General food alerts numbered 99-xx can still list Mexico firms; see the country page.
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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.