FDA refusal charge MELAMINE: melamine
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The MELAMINE charge appeared in 611 FDA import refusals between 2020 and 2026 — 3.2% of the 19,123 refusals that identify a hazard. The origins cited most often are China, Hong Kong, Philippines. The most-affected product category is Bakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and Icings. Volume in 2025 was up 82% on 2024.
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What FDA's charge says
MELAMINE 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 bear or contain a food additive, namely melamine and/or a melamine analog, that is unsafe within the meaning of Section 409.
The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to bear or contain a food additive, namely melamine and/or a melamine analog, that is unsafe within the meaning of section 409.
The article is subject to refusal of admission in that it appears to bear or contain a food additive, namely melamine and/or a melamine analog, that is unsafe within the meaning of section 409.
MELAMINE refusals by year
| Year | Refusals | YoY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 83 | — | |
| 2021 | 44 | -47.0% | |
| 2022 | 46 | +4.5% | |
| 2023 | 42 | -8.7% | |
| 2024 | 76 | +81.0% | |
| 2025 | 138 | +81.6% | |
| 2026 | 182 | — | YTD |
| Total | 611 |
Origins most often refused under MELAMINE
| # | Origin country | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 601 |
| 2 | Hong Kong | 6 |
| 3 | Philippines | 1 |
| 4 | South Korea | 1 |
| 5 | Taiwan | 1 |
| 6 | Vietnam | 1 |
Product categories refused under MELAMINE
| # | Product category | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and Icings | 217 |
| 2 | Ice Cream and Related Products | 125 |
| 3 | Snack Food Items (Flour, Meal, or Vegetable Base) | 64 |
| 4 | Milk, Butter, and Dried Milk Products | 43 |
| 5 | Vegetable Protein Products (Simulated Meats) | 37 |
| 6 | Whole Grains, Milled Grain Products, and Starch | 31 |
| 7 | Chocolate and Cocoa Products | 26 |
| 8 | Soft Drinks and Waters | 16 |
| 9 | Beverage Bases | 8 |
| 10 | Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum | 7 |
| 11 | Cereal Preparations, Breakfast Foods | 6 |
| 12 | Filled Milk and Imitation Milk Products | 6 |
| 13 | Fruit and Fruit Products | 6 |
| 14 | Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties for Humans | 4 |
| 15 | Coffee and Tea | 3 |
Latest refusals citing MELAMINE
- 8BL-0050440-2 SOYBEAN FLOUR, MEAL, OR POWDERFrom China, Whole Grains, Milled Grain Products, and Starch. melamine
- 823-0223831-4 ICE CREAM AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.C.From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. melamineFD&C Yellow No. 5 undeclared
- 274-2602882-8 VEGETABLE PROTEIN PRODUCTS NOT ELSEWHERE MENTIONED, N.E.C.From China, Vegetable Protein Products (Simulated Meats). poisonous or deleterious substancemelamine
- EVR-0187313-7 POTATO SNACKS (FLAVORED OR UNFLAVORED), VEGETABLE SNACKS (OTHER THAN PULSES) BAKEDFrom China, Snack Food Items (Flour, Meal, or Vegetable Base). ingredients not listedmelamine
- NFT-2090053-5 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. unsafe color additivemelamine
- EKH-1061784-6 SOYBEAN FLOUR, MEAL, OR POWDERFrom China, Whole Grains, Milled Grain Products, and Starch. melamine
- N4W-0027148-7 RICE GRAIN SNACK (WHOLE, SPLIT), FRIED/OIL COOKEDFrom China, Snack Food Items (Flour, Meal, or Vegetable Base). melamine
- 823-0222417-3 ICE CREAM AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.C.From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. melamine
- NFT-2090479-2 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. melamine
- NFT-2090481-8 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. melamine
- NFT-2090721-7 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. melamine
- NFT-2091257-1 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. melamine
- NFT-2092495-6 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. melamine
- NFT-2090476-8 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. melamine
- NFT-2090475-0 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. melamine
- NFT-2091088-0 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. melamine
- NFT-2090472-7 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. unsafe color additivecolor not declaredmelamine
- NFT-2091251-4 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. unsafe color additivecolor not declaredmelamine
- NFT-2091253-0 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. unsafe color additivecolor not declaredmelamine
- NFT-2090453-7 ICES, FRUIT FLAVORED, ON A STICK, (POPSICLES, ETC.)From China, Ice Cream and Related Products. unsafe color additivecolor not declaredmelamine
About MELAMINE
What does the FDA import refusal charge MELAMINE mean?
FDA uses MELAMINE for: melamine. Its published charge language reads: “The article appears to bear or contain a food additive, namely melamine and/or a melamine analog, that is unsafe within the meaning of Section 409.”
Is MELAMINE a food safety finding?
Yes. This site counts MELAMINE 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 MELAMINE?
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.