FDA refusal charge FOREIGN OB: foreign object
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The FOREIGN OB charge appeared in 57 FDA import refusals between 2020 and 2025 — 0.3% of the 19,123 refusals that identify a hazard. The origins cited most often are India, China, Japan. The most-affected product category is Spices, Flavors, and Salts. Volume in 2025 was up 67% on 2024.
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What FDA's charge says
FOREIGN OB 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 appears to consist in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance, or is otherwise unfit for food in that it appears to contain foreign objects.
FOREIGN OB refusals by year
| Year | Refusals | YoY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 9 | — | |
| 2021 | 18 | +100.0% | |
| 2022 | 15 | -16.7% | |
| 2023 | 7 | -53.3% | |
| 2024 | 3 | -57.1% | |
| 2025 | 5 | +66.7% | |
| Total | 57 |
Origins most often refused under FOREIGN OB
| # | Origin country | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 37 |
| 2 | China | 5 |
| 3 | Japan | 4 |
| 4 | - | 3 |
| 5 | Mexico | 2 |
| 6 | Taiwan | 2 |
| 7 | Armenia | 1 |
| 8 | Italy | 1 |
| 9 | Tanzania | 1 |
| 10 | United States | 1 |
Product categories refused under FOREIGN OB
| # | Product category | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spices, Flavors, and Salts | 32 |
| 2 | Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum | 11 |
| 3 | Fruit and Fruit Products | 8 |
| 4 | Vegetables and Vegetable Products | 2 |
| 5 | Chocolate and Cocoa Products | 1 |
| 6 | Fishery/Seafood Products | 1 |
| 7 | Gelatin, Rennet, Pudding Mixes, and Pie Fillings | 1 |
| 8 | Nuts and Edible Seeds | 1 |
Latest refusals citing FOREIGN OB
- N3J-0073181-8 CHINESE RED DATE (JUJUBES, ZIZIPHUS JUJUBA) (PIT FRUIT)From China, Fruit and Fruit Products. foreign object
- SCS-9686399-2 CHOCOLATE AND CHOCOLATE COVERED CANDY, WITHOUT NUTS AND FRUIT, N.E.C.From Italy, Chocolate and Cocoa Products. foreign objectembedded objectnutrition labelingnot in English
- AC1-1254303-1 GEL CUPS, FRUIT FLAVOREDFrom Japan, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. foreign object
- K09-0095673-9 MIXED/ASSORTED SOFT CANDY WITHOUT NUTS, FRUIT OR CHOCOLATE)From China, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. foreign object
- 9VV-0044795-8 GELATIN, FLAVOREDFrom China, Gelatin, Rennet, Pudding Mixes, and Pie Fillings. foreign object
- 417-0387172-7 GEL CUPS CANDYFrom Taiwan, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. foreign object
- 799-0758079-0 SARDINES (BRISLING, SPRATS, PILCHARDS, ETC.)From Tanzania, Fishery/Seafood Products. water-soakedforeign objectno manufacturer nameno net quantity+1 more
- BNU-0027703-1 TOMATOES (FRUIT USED AS VEGETABLE)From United States, Vegetables and Vegetable Products. foreign object
- ANG-0088720-9 GEL CANDY ON A STICK CANDYFrom Mexico, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. foreign objectcolor not declarednot in English
- ANG-0088347-1 GEL CUPS CANDYFrom Mexico, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. foreign object
- 799-5674847-9 GEL CUPS, FRUIT FLAVOREDFrom Japan, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. foreign objectnot in English
- 8GQ-0056057-2 DATES (PIT FRUIT), (PIT FRUIT)From -, Fruit and Fruit Products. foreign objectfilth
- 8GQ-0056056-4 DATES (PIT FRUIT), (PIT FRUIT)From -, Fruit and Fruit Products. foreign objectfilth
- 906-0386543-0 CAPSICUMS (CAYENNE CHILI, HOT PEPPERS), WHOLE (SPICE)From India, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. foreign object
- 349-2047340-1 HAW, JUICES OR CONCENTRATESFrom China, Fruit and Fruit Products. foreign objectnot in Englishno food-canning registrationno process filing
- 9JW-0029607-2 PEPPER, BLACK, GROUND, CRACKED (SPICE)From India, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. foreign objectfilthSalmonella
- ND7-0182844-1 PEPPER, BLACK, GROUND, CRACKED (SPICE)From India, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. foreign objectfilth
- CHQ-0885782-5 PEPPER, BLACK, GROUND, CRACKED (SPICE)From India, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. foreign objectfilth
- KM6-3574330-5 PEPPER,BLACK, WHOLE (SPICE)From India, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. foreign objectSalmonella
- KM6-1575347-2 PEPPER, BLACK, GROUND, CRACKED (SPICE)From India, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. foreign objectfilthSalmonella
About FOREIGN OB
What does the FDA import refusal charge FOREIGN OB mean?
FDA uses FOREIGN OB for: foreign object. Its published charge language reads: “The article appears to consist in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance, or is otherwise unfit for food in that it appears to contain foreign objects.”
Is FOREIGN OB a food safety finding?
Yes. This site counts FOREIGN OB 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 FOREIGN OB?
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.