FDA refusal charge UNFIT4FOOD: unfit for food
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The UNFIT4FOOD charge appeared in 284 FDA import refusals between 2020 and 2026 — 1.5% of the 19,123 refusals that identify a hazard. The origins cited most often are China, Taiwan, Costa Rica. The most-affected product category is Bakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and Icings. Volume in 2025 was up 84% on 2024.
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What FDA's charge says
UNFIT4FOOD 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 it appears to be unfit for food.
UNFIT4FOOD refusals by year
| Year | Refusals | YoY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 36 | — | |
| 2021 | 12 | -66.7% | |
| 2022 | 18 | +50.0% | |
| 2023 | 20 | +11.1% | |
| 2024 | 37 | +85.0% | |
| 2025 | 68 | +83.8% | |
| 2026 | 93 | — | YTD |
| Total | 284 |
Origins most often refused under UNFIT4FOOD
| # | Origin country | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 202 |
| 2 | Taiwan | 43 |
| 3 | Costa Rica | 21 |
| 4 | Japan | 11 |
| 5 | Hong Kong | 4 |
| 6 | Philippines | 1 |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 1 |
| 8 | Vietnam | 1 |
Product categories refused under UNFIT4FOOD
| # | Product category | Refusals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bakery Products, Doughs, Bakery Mixes, and Icings | 88 |
| 2 | Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum | 46 |
| 3 | Fruit and Fruit Products | 32 |
| 4 | Ice Cream and Related Products | 22 |
| 5 | Snack Food Items (Flour, Meal, or Vegetable Base) | 22 |
| 6 | Gelatin, Rennet, Pudding Mixes, and Pie Fillings | 15 |
| 7 | Milk, Butter, and Dried Milk Products | 14 |
| 8 | Chocolate and Cocoa Products | 13 |
| 9 | Vegetable Protein Products (Simulated Meats) | 8 |
| 10 | Whole Grains, Milled Grain Products, and Starch | 8 |
| 11 | Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, and Unconventional Dietary Specialties for Humans | 4 |
| 12 | Soft Drinks and Waters | 3 |
| 13 | Coffee and Tea | 2 |
| 14 | Filled Milk and Imitation Milk Products | 2 |
| 15 | Vegetables and Vegetable Products | 2 |
Latest refusals citing UNFIT4FOOD
- CFQ-8141565-1 JELLIED CANDY, SOFT (JELLY BEANS, GUM DROPS, ETC.), WITH FRUIT (WITHOUT CHOCOLATE)From Costa Rica, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. unfit for food
- KM6-1645316-3 GEL CUPS, FRUIT FLAVORED W/FRUIT CANDYFrom Taiwan, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. unfit for food
- KM6-1646845-0 GEL CUPS, FRUIT FLAVORED W/FRUIT CANDYFrom Taiwan, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. unfit for food
- KL1-0299640-4 SOFT CANDY WITHOUT NUTS AND FRUIT, N.E.C. (WITHOUT CHOCOLATE)From Taiwan, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. unfit for food
- KM6-3673723-1 SUBTROPICAL/TROPICAL, MIXED, FLAVORED JAMS, JELLIES, PRESERVES, MARMALADES, BUTTERS AND CANDIEDFrom Taiwan, Fruit and Fruit Products. unfit for food
- KM6-3673724-9 SUBTROPICAL/TROPICAL, MIXED, FLAVORED JAMS, JELLIES, PRESERVES, MARMALADES, BUTTERS AND CANDIEDFrom Taiwan, Fruit and Fruit Products. unfit for food
- KM6-3677456-4 SUBTROPICAL/TROPICAL, MIXED, FLAVORED JAMS, JELLIES, PRESERVES, MARMALADES, BUTTERS AND CANDIEDFrom Taiwan, Fruit and Fruit Products. unfit for food
- EH3-2670727-8 JELLY FRUIT POPPERS CANDYFrom Costa Rica, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. unfit for food
- EH3-2671074-4 JELLY FRUIT POPPERS CANDYFrom Costa Rica, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. unfit for food
- ASE-1514365-4 GEL CUPS, FRUIT FLAVORED W/FRUIT CANDYFrom Costa Rica, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. unsafe color additivenot in Englishunfit for foodnutrition labeling
- EUG-0050479-5 MIXED FRUIT FLAVORED IMITATION FRUIT, JAM, JELLY, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, BUTTER OR CANDIEDFrom Costa Rica, Fruit and Fruit Products. unfit for food
- ASE-1514023-9 GEL CUPS, FRUIT FLAVORED W/FRUIT CANDYFrom Costa Rica, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. unfit for food
- 8Q4-0009113-3 GELATIN, FLAVOREDFrom Costa Rica, Gelatin, Rennet, Pudding Mixes, and Pie Fillings. unfit for food
- EUG-0049042-5 MIXED FRUIT FLAVORED IMITATION FRUIT, JAM, JELLY, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, BUTTER OR CANDIEDFrom Costa Rica, Fruit and Fruit Products. unfit for food
- EUG-0049264-5 MIXED FRUIT FLAVORED IMITATION FRUIT, JAM, JELLY, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, BUTTER OR CANDIEDFrom Costa Rica, Fruit and Fruit Products. unfit for food
- 349-2076923-8 MIXED FRUIT, JAM, JELLY, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, BUTTER OR CANDIED, N.E.C.From Taiwan, Fruit and Fruit Products. unfit for foodfilth
- EUG-0049273-6 MIXED FRUIT FLAVORED IMITATION FRUIT, JAM, JELLY, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, BUTTER OR CANDIEDFrom Costa Rica, Fruit and Fruit Products. unfit for food
- 629-0052045-3 OTHER FRUIT AND FRUIT PRODUCTS, JAM, JELLY, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, BUTTER OR CANDIED, N.E.C.From Costa Rica, Fruit and Fruit Products. unfit for food
- 629-0052071-9 OTHER FRUIT AND FRUIT PRODUCTS, JAM, JELLY, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, BUTTER OR CANDIED, N.E.C.From Costa Rica, Fruit and Fruit Products. unfit for food
- U47-2513202-9 SOFT CANDY WITHOUT NUTS AND FRUIT, N.E.C. (WITHOUT CHOCOLATE)From Japan, Candy Without Chocolate, Candy Specialties, and Chewing Gum. unfit for food
About UNFIT4FOOD
What does the FDA import refusal charge UNFIT4FOOD mean?
FDA uses UNFIT4FOOD for: unfit for food. Its published charge language reads: “The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to be unfit for food.”
Is UNFIT4FOOD a food safety finding?
Yes. This site counts UNFIT4FOOD 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 UNFIT4FOOD?
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.