FDA import refusals
FDA import refusals: seafood from Panama
FDA category: Fishery/Seafood Products · October 2016 to June 2, 2026
FDA refused 50 seafood shipment lines from Panama between October 2016 and June 2, 2026, 1 of them in 2026; the most refused products were mahi mahi and spiny lobster, most often for FILTHY (filthy, putrid or decomposed substance).
Data from FDA public records, last checked .
- 50
- seafood lines refused since October 2016
- 1
- refused so far in 2026
- 5
- firms with the most records, listed below
Seafood refusals from Panama 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) | 1 | |
| 2025 | 1 | -86% |
| 2024 | 7 | +133% |
| 2023 | 3 | +200% |
| 2022 | 1 | -89% |
| 2021 | 9 | +800% |
| 2020 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 22 | |
| 2016 (from Oct) | 5 |
Mahi mahi refusals from Panama
FDA refused 25 mahi mahi lines from Panama between October 2016 and June 2, 2026, 50% of the seafood lines.
| FDA product description | Lines | Share of seafood |
|---|---|---|
| Mahi mahi | 25 | 50.0% |
Recent mahi mahi refusals
| Date | Firm | Product | Charges | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independiente Seafood Panama SACristobal, Panama | Mahi mahi | FILTHYLACKS FIRM | Source | |
| Independent Seafoods Panama S.A.Panama City, Panama | Mahi mahi | FILTHY | Source | |
| Independent Seafoods Panama S.A.Panama City, Panama | Mahi mahi | FILTHY | Source | |
| Independent Seafoods Panama S.A.Panama City, Panama | Mahi mahi | FILTHY | Source | |
| Independent Seafoods Panama S.A.Panama City, Panama | Mahi mahi | FILTHY | Source |
Spiny lobster refusals from Panama
FDA refused 21 spiny lobster lines from Panama between October 2016 and June 2, 2026, 42% of the seafood lines.
| FDA product description | Lines | Share of seafood |
|---|---|---|
| Spiny lobster, rock lobster | 21 | 42.0% |
Recent spiny lobster refusals
| Date | Firm | Product | Charges | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isabela Seafood CorporationChitre, Panama | Spiny lobster, rock lobster | FILTHY | Source |
Fish maw refusals from Panama
FDA refused 2 fish maw lines from Panama between October 2016 and June 2, 2026, 4% of the seafood lines.
| FDA product description | Lines | Share of seafood |
|---|---|---|
| Fish maw, fishery products, n.e.c. | 2 | 4.0% |
Recent fish maw refusals
| Date | Firm | Product | Charges | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grupo Mcw SATocumen, Panama | Fish maw, fishery products, n.e.c | FILTHY | Source |
Other seafood products refused from Panama
| Product group | Lines | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Clam paste | 1 | 2.0% |
| Clams | 1 | 2.0% |
Why FDA refused seafood from Panama
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 | 49 | 92% |
| HISTAMINE | Histamine | 2 | 4% |
| LACKS FIRM | Manufacturer name and address missing | 1 | 2% |
| MFRHACCP | Seafood HACCP requirements not met | 1 | 2% |
Import alerts for seafood that list Panama firms
Panama seafood firms with the most FDA records
Counts are FDA records in SupplierRadar's data, not a ranking of quality.
| Firm | City | FDA records |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Deli Panama, S.A. | Arraijan | 13 |
| Grupo Panalang Union, Inc. | San Miguelito | 13 |
| Marine Packers S.A. | Aguadulce | 12 |
| Independent Seafoods Panama S.A. | Panama City | 6 |
| Manabi Export Panama S.A. | Panama City | 1 |
Latest seafood refusals from Panama
Questions about seafood refusals from Panama
- How many seafood shipments from Panama did FDA refuse in 2026?
- FDA refused 1 shipment line of seafood from Panama in 2026 through June 2, 2026, compared with 1 in 2025.
- Why does FDA refuse seafood from Panama?
- FDA records a charge code on every refused shipment line. For seafood from Panama the most frequent are FILTHY (filthy, putrid or decomposed substance, 49 lines), HISTAMINE (histamine, 2 lines) and LACKS FIRM (manufacturer name and address missing, 1 line). A charge describes what FDA's reference table says about one shipment line, not about every firm.
- Which import alerts cover seafood from Panama?
- As of October 26, 2026, the FDA import alerts for this category that list Panama firms are Import Alert 16-120 (8 firms), Import Alert 16-81 (6 firms), Import Alert 16-125 (2 firms) and Import Alert 16-04 (1 firm). General food alerts numbered 99-xx can list Panama firms too; 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.