FDA refusal charge MFR INJ: insanitary handling
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The MFR INJ charge appeared in 732 FDA import refusals between 2020 and 2026 — 3.8% of the 19,123 refusals that identify a hazard. The origins cited most often are Indonesia, India, Guatemala. The most-affected product category is Fishery/Seafood Products. Volume in 2025 was up 755% on 2024.
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What FDA's charge says
MFR INJ 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) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) in that such article appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health.
MFR INJ refusals by year
| Year | Refusals | YoY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 13 | — | |
| 2021 | 23 | +76.9% | |
| 2022 | 27 | +17.4% | |
| 2023 | 25 | -7.4% | |
| 2024 | 53 | +112.0% | |
| 2025 | 453 | +754.7% | |
| 2026 | 138 | — | YTD |
| Total | 732 |
Origins most often refused under MFR INJ
| # | Origin country | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indonesia | 293 |
| 2 | India | 201 |
| 3 | Guatemala | 33 |
| 4 | Greece | 30 |
| 5 | Mexico | 27 |
| 6 | South Korea | 16 |
| 7 | United Arab Emirates | 16 |
| 8 | China | 12 |
| 9 | Taiwan | 11 |
| 10 | Chile | 10 |
| 11 | Egypt | 10 |
| 12 | Colombia | 9 |
| 13 | Turkey | 9 |
| 14 | Lebanon | 7 |
| 15 | Brazil | 5 |
| 16 | Jordan | 5 |
| 17 | Thailand | 5 |
| 18 | Canada | 4 |
| 19 | Netherlands | 4 |
| 20 | Vietnam | 4 |
| 21 | Israel | 3 |
| 22 | Nigeria | 3 |
| 23 | Spain | 3 |
| 24 | Ecuador | 2 |
| 25 | Albania | 1 |
| 26 | Australia | 1 |
| 27 | Fiji | 1 |
| 28 | Honduras | 1 |
| 29 | Myanmar | 1 |
| 30 | Pakistan | 1 |
Product categories refused under MFR INJ
| # | Product category | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fishery/Seafood Products | 331 |
| 2 | Snack Food Items (Flour, Meal, or Vegetable Base) | 96 |
| 3 | Vegetables and Vegetable Products | 72 |
| 4 | Nuts and Edible Seeds | 63 |
| 5 | Spices, Flavors, and Salts | 52 |
| 6 | Fruit and Fruit Products | 47 |
| 7 | Bakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and Icings | 19 |
| 8 | Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties for Humans | 18 |
| 9 | Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum | 9 |
| 10 | Cheese and Cheese Products | 7 |
| 11 | Cereal Preparations, Breakfast Foods | 5 |
| 12 | Multiple Food Dinners, Gravies, Sauces, and Specialties (Total Diet) | 5 |
| 13 | Chocolate and Cocoa Products | 2 |
| 14 | Macaroni and Noodle Products | 2 |
| 15 | Dietary Conventional Foods and Meal Replacements | 1 |
Latest refusals citing MFR INJ
- U72-0541170-6 SNAPPER (RED, GRAY, MALABAR, ETC.)From Nigeria, Fishery/Seafood Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- 259-4523884-5 LETTUCE, LOOSE-LEAF (E.G., ROMAINE) (LEAF & STEM VEGETABLE)From Mexico, Vegetables and Vegetable Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- 88P-0006362-6 HAKE, HOT SMOKED, FISHFrom Nigeria, Fishery/Seafood Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- 9GV-0095572-5 LETTUCE, HEAD (E.G. ICEBERG) (LEAF & STEM VEGETABLE)From Mexico, Vegetables and Vegetable Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- 9GV-0095578-2 LETTUCE, HEAD (E.G. ICEBERG) (LEAF & STEM VEGETABLE)From Mexico, Vegetables and Vegetable Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- KM6-3684894-7 FISH, N.E.C.From Myanmar, Fishery/Seafood Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- KM6-3684421-9 NOODLES, INSTANTFrom India, Macaroni and Noodle Products. filthinsanitary plantinsanitary handling
- 88P-0005791-7 HAKE, HOT SMOKED, FISHFrom Nigeria, Fishery/Seafood Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- KM6-3682524-2 CAPSICUMS (CAYENNE CHILI, HOT PEPPERS), GROUND, CRACKED (SPICE)From United Arab Emirates, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. insanitary plantinsanitary handlingSalmonella
- EVJ-1265443-3 MIXED SPICES AND SEASONINGS, LIQUID, WITH SALT, N.E.C.From South Korea, Spices, Flavors, and Salts. ingredients not listedpreservative not declaredno common nameinsanitary handling
- BTC-0122984-7 KAVA KAVA (HERBAL & BOTANICALS, NOT TEAS)From Vanuatu, Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties for Humans. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- 231-7584362-9 BLUEBERRIES (BERRY)From Chile, Fruit and Fruit Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handlingpesticide residue
- KM6-3684715-4 PEANUT, SHELLEDFrom India, Nuts and Edible Seeds. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- AEK-0841834-4 MACA (HERBAL & BOTANICALS, NOT TEAS II)From India, Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties for Humans. insanitary handling
- EI5-4041505-3 BLUEBERRIES (BERRY)From Chile, Fruit and Fruit Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- 231-7583935-3 BLUEBERRIES (BERRY)From Chile, Fruit and Fruit Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- 231-7584077-3 BLUEBERRIES (BERRY)From Chile, Fruit and Fruit Products. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- 231-7579212-3 BLUEBERRIES (BERRY)From Chile, Fruit and Fruit Products. insanitary conditionsinsanitary handling
- KM6-3681336-2 PEANUT, IN SHELLFrom India, Nuts and Edible Seeds. insanitary plantinsanitary handling
- 9KA-0001759-6 OTHER BAKERY PRODUCTS, N.E.C.From Brazil, Bakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and Icings. insanitary plantinsanitary handlingSalmonella
About MFR INJ
What does the FDA import refusal charge MFR INJ mean?
FDA uses MFR INJ for: insanitary handling. Its published charge language reads: “The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) in that such article appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health.”
Is MFR INJ a food safety finding?
Yes. This site counts MFR INJ 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 MFR INJ?
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.