FDA refusal charge FILTHY: filth
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The FILTHY charge appeared in 4,966 FDA import refusals between 2020 and 2026 — 26.0% of the 19,123 refusals that identify a hazard. The origins cited most often are India, Mexico, China. The most-affected product category is Fruit and Fruit Products. Volume in 2025 was up 40% on 2024.
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What FDA's charge says
FILTHY 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 the article appears to consist in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or be otherwise unfit for food.
FILTHY refusals by year
| Year | Refusals | YoY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 518 | — | |
| 2021 | 632 | +22.0% | |
| 2022 | 704 | +11.4% | |
| 2023 | 794 | +12.8% | |
| 2024 | 633 | -20.3% | |
| 2025 | 884 | +39.7% | |
| 2026 | 801 | — | YTD |
| Total | 4,966 |
Origins most often refused under FILTHY
| # | Origin country | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 1,226 |
| 2 | Mexico | 825 |
| 3 | China | 685 |
| 4 | Vietnam | 282 |
| 5 | Thailand | 225 |
| 6 | Indonesia | 191 |
| 7 | Canada | 185 |
| 8 | Hong Kong | 88 |
| 9 | Brazil | 70 |
| 10 | Ecuador | 69 |
| 11 | Pakistan | 61 |
| 12 | Philippines | 53 |
| 13 | Bangladesh | 47 |
| 14 | Peru | 46 |
| 15 | United States | 43 |
| 16 | Guyana | 37 |
| 17 | Nigeria | 36 |
| 18 | Italy | 31 |
| 19 | Turkey | 31 |
| 20 | Afghanistan | 30 |
| 21 | Costa Rica | 29 |
| 22 | Ivory Coast | 26 |
| 23 | Sri Lanka | 26 |
| 24 | Chile | 25 |
| 25 | Mozambique | 25 |
| 26 | Senegal | 25 |
| 27 | Egypt | 24 |
| 28 | Suriname | 22 |
| 29 | United Arab Emirates | 22 |
| 30 | Spain | 21 |
Product categories refused under FILTHY
| # | Product category | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fruit and Fruit Products | 1,775 |
| 2 | Fishery/Seafood Products | 1,121 |
| 3 | Vegetables and Vegetable Products | 583 |
| 4 | Spices, Flavors, and Salts | 346 |
| 5 | Bakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and Icings | 296 |
| 6 | Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum | 180 |
| 7 | Macaroni and Noodle Products | 178 |
| 8 | Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties for Humans | 157 |
| 9 | Multiple Food Dinners, Gravies, Sauces, and Specialties (Total Diet) | 65 |
| 10 | Nuts and Edible Seeds | 56 |
| 11 | Chocolate and Cocoa Products | 33 |
| 12 | Dressings and Condiments | 30 |
| 13 | Whole Grains, Milled Grain Products, and Starch | 30 |
| 14 | Snack Food Items (Flour, Meal, or Vegetable Base) | 23 |
| 15 | Beverage Bases | 14 |
Latest refusals citing FILTHY
- 316-4158762-6 ORIENTAL NOODLES (FLAVORED WITH SHRIMP,CHICKEN,BEEF,LOBSTER,CRAB,PLAIN,ETC.)From Philippines, Macaroni and Noodle Products. filth
- SCS-4497308-7 TAMARIND, JAM, JELLY, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, BUTTER OR CANDIEDFrom Mexico, Fruit and Fruit Products. filth
- 1FX-3005764-1 TAMARIND, DRIED OR PASTEFrom Mexico, Fruit and Fruit Products. filth
- KM6-3684693-3 TAMARIND, JAM, JELLY, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, BUTTER OR CANDIEDFrom India, Fruit and Fruit Products. Salmonellafilth
- AEK-2127505-1 TAMARIND (SUBTROPICAL AND TROPICAL FRUIT)From Thailand, Fruit and Fruit Products. filth
- AEK-2127583-8 TAMARIND (SUBTROPICAL AND TROPICAL FRUIT)From Cambodia, Fruit and Fruit Products. filth
- AEK-2080871-2 TAMARIND (SUBTROPICAL AND TROPICAL FRUIT)From Thailand, Fruit and Fruit Products. filth
- SCS-8006438-7 TAMARIND, DRIED OR PASTEFrom United States, Fruit and Fruit Products. filth
- KM6-3686074-4 RAISINS, DRIED OR PASTEFrom Afghanistan, Fruit and Fruit Products. pesticide residuefilth
- 635-1124991-2 DATES (PIT FRUIT), (PIT FRUIT)From Mexico, Fruit and Fruit Products. filth
- 916-5630399-6 COCOA BEAN N.E.C.From Venezuela, Chocolate and Cocoa Products. filth
- U72-0541035-1 TILAPIAFrom Nigeria, Fishery/Seafood Products. filthlabeling
- 823-0225847-8 FISH MAW, FISHERY PRODUCTS, N.E.C.From Ivory Coast, Fishery/Seafood Products. filth
- KM6-3685157-8 PEPPER,BLACK, WHOLE (SPICE)From India, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. filthSalmonella
- KM6-3685825-0 PEPPER,BLACK, WHOLE (SPICE)From India, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. filth
- SCS-5183735-7 SYRUPS AND MOLASSES, N.E.C.From Canada, Food Sweeteners (Nutritive). filthingredients not listedno process filingno manufacturer name+2 more
- AEK-9864827-0 CAPSICUMS (CAYENNE CHILI, HOT PEPPERS), WHOLE (SPICE)From Mexico, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. filth
- U72-0541131-8 TILAPIAFrom Nigeria, Fishery/Seafood Products. filth
- U72-0541105-2 SNAPPER (RED, GRAY, MALABAR, ETC.)From Nigeria, Fishery/Seafood Products. filthinsanitary plant
- KM6-3671096-4 DATES, DRIED OR PASTEFrom India, Fruit and Fruit Products. filth
About FILTHY
What does the FDA import refusal charge FILTHY mean?
FDA uses FILTHY for: filth. Its published charge language reads: “The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that the article appears to consist in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or be otherwise unfit for food.”
Is FILTHY a food safety finding?
Yes. This site counts FILTHY 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 FILTHY?
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.