FDA refusal charge COSM COLOR: unsafe cosmetic color
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The COSM COLOR charge appeared in 39 FDA import refusals between 2022 and 2025 — 0.2% of the 19,123 refusals that identify a hazard. The origins cited most often are Australia, India, Japan. The most-affected product category is Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. Volume in 2025 was down 33% on 2024.
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What FDA's charge says
COSM COLOR is the code FDA prints on a refusal; below is the charge language FDA publishes for it, quoted from its charge table, with the sections of the FD&C Act it cites.
The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to contain a color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 721(a) which renders it adulterated under Section 601(e).
COSM COLOR refusals by year
| Year | Refusals | YoY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 32 | — | |
| 2023 | 2 | -93.8% | |
| 2024 | 3 | +50.0% | |
| 2025 | 2 | -33.3% | |
| Total | 39 |
Origins most often refused under COSM COLOR
| # | Origin country | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 31 |
| 2 | India | 6 |
| 3 | Japan | 1 |
| 4 | Netherlands | 1 |
Product categories refused under COSM COLOR
| # | Product category | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics | 35 |
| 2 | Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum | 1 |
| 3 | Snack Food Items (Flour, Meal, or Vegetable Base) | 1 |
| 4 | Spices, Flavors, and Salts | 1 |
| 5 | Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties for Humans | 1 |
Latest refusals citing COSM COLOR
- SCS-8585811-1 HERBALS & BOTANICALS (NOT TEAS), N.E.C.From India, Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties for Humans. unsafe cosmetic colorcosmetic packaging and labeling
- 799-1065074-8 HENNAFrom India, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- K80-2162679-2 SNACK FOODS NOT ELSEWHERE MENTIONED, N.E.C.From India, Snack Food Items (Flour, Meal, or Vegetable Base). no common nameunapproved new drugestablishment not listedforeign plant not registered+7 more
- 82S-0004394-9 PEPPER, BLACK, GROUND, CRACKED (SPICE)From India, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. pesticide residuefilthSalmonellaunsafe color additive+3 more
- KM6-3633474-0 HENNAFrom India, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic colorcosmetic packaging and labeling
- AJR-7410145-0 CANDY BAR OR PIECES (NOT CARAMEL OR FONDANT), SOFT, WITHOUT NUTS AND FRUIT (WITHOUT CHOCOLATE)From Japan, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. unsafe color additivecolor not declaredno net quantitynutrition labeling+2 more
- SCS-6685064-8 HENNAFrom India, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-1665144-1 HENNAFrom Netherlands, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0359235-0 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0465304-5 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0186613-7 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0373412-7 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0207620-7 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0184893-7 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0185996-7 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0186260-7 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0134624-7 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0186538-6 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0230517-6 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
- 799-0177623-7 HENNAFrom Australia, Color Additives for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics. unsafe cosmetic color
About COSM COLOR
What does the FDA import refusal charge COSM COLOR mean?
FDA uses COSM COLOR for: unsafe cosmetic color. Its published charge language reads: “The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to contain a color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 721(a) which renders it adulterated under Section 601(e).”
Is COSM COLOR a food safety finding?
Yes. This site counts COSM COLOR as a hazard finding, so a refusal citing it is on the hazard side of the hazard and paperwork split, whatever else the refusal cites.
What happens to a shipment refused under COSM COLOR?
Under section 801(a) of the FD&C Act a refused entry has to be exported or destroyed, normally within 90 days of the notice of refusal. Bringing a product into compliance, for instance by relabelling, is something the importer asks FDA for before the decision is final. The notice itself and FDA's guidance govern a particular case; this page describes the published data and is not legal advice.