FDA refusal charge MFR INSAN: insanitary plant
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The MFR INSAN charge appeared in 831 FDA import refusals between 2020 and 2026 — 4.3% of the 19,123 refusals that identify a hazard. The origins cited most often are India, Mexico, Indonesia. The most-affected product category is Fishery/Seafood Products. Volume in 2025 was up 270% on 2024.
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What FDA's charge says
MFR INSAN 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)(1) in that the article appears to have been manufactured, processed, or packed under insanitary conditions.
MFR INSAN refusals by year
| Year | Refusals | YoY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 35 | — | |
| 2021 | 56 | +60.0% | |
| 2022 | 48 | -14.3% | |
| 2023 | 67 | +39.6% | |
| 2024 | 89 | +32.8% | |
| 2025 | 329 | +269.7% | |
| 2026 | 207 | — | YTD |
| Total | 831 |
Origins most often refused under MFR INSAN
| # | Origin country | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 188 |
| 2 | Mexico | 95 |
| 3 | Indonesia | 87 |
| 4 | Tanzania | 70 |
| 5 | Guatemala | 38 |
| 6 | Greece | 36 |
| 7 | South Korea | 36 |
| 8 | Myanmar | 26 |
| 9 | Thailand | 23 |
| 10 | Vietnam | 18 |
| 11 | China | 16 |
| 12 | Nigeria | 14 |
| 13 | Brazil | 13 |
| 14 | Canada | 13 |
| 15 | Taiwan | 13 |
| 16 | United Arab Emirates | 12 |
| 17 | Chile | 10 |
| 18 | Colombia | 10 |
| 19 | Lebanon | 10 |
| 20 | Egypt | 9 |
| 21 | Ghana | 9 |
| 22 | Turkey | 9 |
| 23 | Zambia | 9 |
| 24 | Philippines | 8 |
| 25 | Israel | 7 |
| 26 | Jordan | 7 |
| 27 | Liberia | 5 |
| 28 | Netherlands | 5 |
| 29 | Ecuador | 4 |
| 30 | Sri Lanka | 4 |
Product categories refused under MFR INSAN
| # | Product category | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fishery/Seafood Products | 326 |
| 2 | Vegetables and Vegetable Products | 113 |
| 3 | Fruit and Fruit Products | 91 |
| 4 | Snack Food Items (Flour, Meal, or Vegetable Base) | 90 |
| 5 | Nuts and Edible Seeds | 59 |
| 6 | Spices, Flavors, and Salts | 48 |
| 7 | Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties for Humans | 29 |
| 8 | Bakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and Icings | 21 |
| 9 | Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum | 21 |
| 10 | Cheese and Cheese Products | 10 |
| 11 | Cereal Preparations, Breakfast Foods | 5 |
| 12 | Multiple Food Dinners, Gravies, Sauces, and Specialties (Total Diet) | 5 |
| 13 | Macaroni and Noodle Products | 3 |
| 14 | Chocolate and Cocoa Products | 2 |
| 15 | Whole Grains, Milled Grain Products, and Starch | 2 |
Latest refusals citing MFR INSAN
- 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
- U72-0541105-2 SNAPPER (RED, GRAY, MALABAR, ETC.)From Nigeria, Fishery/Seafood Products. filthinsanitary plant
- 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
- U72-0541138-3 SNAPPER (RED, GRAY, MALABAR, ETC.)From Nigeria, Fishery/Seafood Products. filthinsanitary plant
- 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
- AEK-9664845-4 FISH, N.E.C.From Thailand, Fishery/Seafood Products. insanitary plant
- U72-0540990-8 FISH, N.E.C.From Nigeria, Fishery/Seafood Products. insanitary plant
- U72-0541042-7 FISH, N.E.C.From Nigeria, Fishery/Seafood Products. insanitary plant
- 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
- 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
- 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
About MFR INSAN
What does the FDA import refusal charge MFR INSAN mean?
FDA uses MFR INSAN for: insanitary plant. Its published charge language reads: “The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to section 801(a)(1) in that the article appears to have been manufactured, processed, or packed under insanitary conditions.”
Is MFR INSAN a food safety finding?
Yes. This site counts MFR INSAN 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 INSAN?
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.