Most-Cited FDA Form 483 Sections

The 200 CFR sections FDA investigators cite most often in the inspection citations FDA publishes, with how many times and at how many facilities.

CFR sectionObservationCitationsFacilities
21 CFR 1.502(a)Maintain, follow FSVP4,8813,571
21 CFR 123.6(b)No HACCP plan4,8052,784
21 CFR 110.35(a)Cleaning and sanitizing operations4,5933,222
21 CFR 123.11(b)Sanitation monitoring documentation4,4922,726
21 CFR 820.100(a)Lack of or inadequate procedures4,3313,334
21 CFR 820.198(a)Lack of or inadequate complaint procedures3,9053,147
21 CFR 110.35(c)Lack of effective pest exclusion3,7343,004
FDCA 402(a)(4)System for administration of drugs3,6501,917
21 CFR 110.20(b)(4)Spacing of equipment3,1412,373
21 CFR 211.192Written record of investigation incomplete2,8011,798
21 CFR 211.22(d)Procedures not in writing, fully followed2,4131,844
21 CFR 117.35(a)Sanitary operations - Plant sanitation2,3551,894
21 CFR 110.20(b)(7)Screening2,3422,019
21 CFR 312.60Informed consent2,1721,862
21 CFR 820.22Quality audits - Lack of or inadequate procedures2,1511,742
21 CFR 110.40(a)Precluding contaminants2,1161,685
21 CFR 123.6(c)(2)Monitoring - none2,0781,642
21 CFR 123.6(c)(1)Food safety hazards2,0251,651
21 CFR 820.30(g)Design validation - user needs and intended uses1,9611,377
21 CFR 820.75(a)Lack of or inadequate process validation1,8841,475
21 CFR 123.6(c)(3)Critical limits1,8161,380
21 CFR 820.184Lack of or inadequate DHR procedures1,7931,517
21 CFR 820.90(a)Specific non-conforming product procedures1,7861,499
21 CFR 211.100(a)Changes to Procedures Not Reviewed, Approved1,7811,329
21 CFR 803.17Lack of Written MDR Procedures1,7011,544
21 CFR 110.10(b)(6)Failure to wear1,6431,372
21 CFR 123.6(c)(4)Monitoring - adequacy1,6411,236
21 CFR 820.50Purchasing controls, Lack of or inadequate procedures1,6321,345
21 CFR 123.11(c)Sanitation Records1,5931,307
21 CFR 117.35(c)Pest control1,5641,362
21 CFR 110.80Testing1,5591,311
21 CFR 123.6(c)(5)Corrective action plan1,5241,156
21 CFR 110.80(b)(2)Manufacturing conditions1,5041,312
21 CFR 123.12(a)(2)Importer verification1,497975
21 CFR 110.20(b)(5)Safety lighting and glass1,4751,254
21 CFR 111.70(e)Specifications - identity, purity, strength, composition1,4621,013
21 CFR 211.160(b)Scientifically sound laboratory controls1,4491,119
21 CFR 117.80(c)Process Control Measures1,4461,284
21 CFR 117.10Personnel1,4371,248
21 CFR 110.20(a)(1)Harborage areas1,4341,223
21 CFR 211.25(a)Training--operations, GMPs, written procedures1,4071,137
21 CFR 820.100(b)Procedures1,3811,202
21 CFR 117.130(a)(1)Hazard Analysis - Identification of Hazard1,3251,124
21 CFR 110.80(a)(1)Water quality -- wash, rinse, convey food1,3071,129
21 CFR 110.80(b)(7)Equipment, containers, utensils1,3021,168
21 CFR 530.11(d)ELDU - producer causes Illegal drug residue1,2841,158
21 CFR 123.6(c)(6)Verification procedures - none/frequency1,278998
21 CFR 123.6(d)Signed and dated1,2481,033
21 CFR 820.25(b)Training records1,2251,053
21 CFR 110.10(b)(3)Not washed/sanitized when appropriate1,2201,055
21 CFR 312.62(b)Case history records- inadequate or inadequate1,1831,120
21 CFR 117.40Equipment and utensils - Design and maintenance1,1401,036
21 CFR 820.20(c)Management review participants1,137997
21 CFR 211.67(b)Written procedures not established/followed1,135877
21 CFR 211.166(a)Written program not followed1,125904
21 CFR 123.8(a)(3)Verification - record review - frequency1,116866
21 CFR 606.100(b)Written SOPs available for use by personnel1,098725
21 CFR 117.135(a)(1)Sanitation preventive controls - Implement1,095786
21 CFR 123.9(a)Records entries - timing1,073812
21 CFR 211.113(b)Validation lacking for sterile drug products1,066608
21 CFR 110.80(b)(1)Teardown equipment/thorough cleaning1,048893
21 CFR 110.37(e)Running water at suitable temperature1,036977
21 CFR 820.40Procedures not adequately established or maintained1,026923
21 CFR 820.30(i)Design changes - validation vs. verification1,001863
21 CFR 110.35(d)Failure to clean - general1,000872
21 CFR 110.37(b)(3)As source of contamination976873
21 CFR 117.20(b)Plant construction and design952868
21 CFR 211.67(a)Cleaning / Sanitizing / Maintenance948790
21 CFR 111.205(a)Master manufacturing record - unique formulation943751
21 CFR 211.110(a)Written in-process control procedures936711
21 CFR 820.70(a)Production processes928823
21 CFR 820.72(a)Equipment suitability & capability913783
21 CFR 111.103Written procedures - quality control operations, reprocessin909726
21 CFR 211.198(a)Reporting of adverse drug experience to FDA904760
21 CFR 110.10(b)(9)Precautions against contamination--micro, foreign substances899814
21 CFR 211.84(d)(2)Testing Each Component for Conformity with Specs890691
21 CFR 211.100(b)SOPs not followed / documented883714
21 CFR 110.35(b)(2)Storage requirements870794
21 CFR 108.25(c)(2)Process filing859655
21 CFR 530.11(a)Withdrawal period855619
21 CFR 211.165(a)Testing and release for distribution850708
21 CFR 211.68(b)Written record not kept of program and validation data837666
21 CFR 211.22(a)Lack of quality control unit835746
21 CFR 211.68(a)Written calibration / inspection records not kept816697
21 CFR 110.20(b)(1)Sufficient space809707
21 CFR 1.505(a)(2)Evaluation - performance, risk799724
21 CFR 820.181DMR - not or inadequately maintained795699
FDCA 501(a)(5)Use of veterinary prescription drug(s) without a prescription792611
21 CFR 117.37Sanitary facilities and controls789742
21 CFR 123.10HACCP training or qualification770640
21 CFR 110.10(b)(4)Unsecured jewelry751663
21 CFR 110.93Storage/transportation of finished goods (deterioration)747681
21 CFR 820.198(c)Investigation of device failures733630
21 CFR 1.506(a)(1)Unapproved supplier procedures - importer established724626
21 CFR 211.160(a)Lab controls established, including changes710576
21 CFR 110.35(d)(5)Shown to be effective708618
21 CFR 111.75(a)(1)(i)Component - verify identity, dietary ingredient706518
21 CFR 211.63Equipment Design, Size and Location698584
21 CFR 1.506(b)Supplier verification - follow written procedures695625
21 CFR 110.10(b)(7)Storage of personal items692600
21 CFR 123.8(a)(2)(ii)Calibration - adequacy687560
21 CFR 1250.67Signs for non-potable water681462
21 CFR 820.30(a)Design control - no procedures679608
21 CFR 820.80(d)Quarantine of finished devices670615
21 CFR 820.80(b)Lack of or inadequate receiving acceptance procedures667601
21 CFR 117.35(d)Sanitation of food-contact surfaces - Frequency658600
21 CFR 110.40(b)Seams on food contact surfaces648584
21 CFR 820.30(f)Design verification - unresolved discrepancies648567
21 CFR 1.506(d)(1)(i)Verification activity frequency641547
21 CFR 110.40(f)Q.C. instrument accuracy, maintenance634557
21 CFR 110.37(e)(1)Suitable locations633598
21 CFR 111.553Written procedures - product complaint612538
21 CFR 120.6(b)Sanitation monitoring612430
21 CFR 1.504(a)Hazard analysis written606559
21 CFR 110.37(e)(5)Signs602567
21 CFR 1.504(b)(1)Hazard analysis biological, chemical, physical598527
21 CFR 111.255(b)Batch record - complete590425
21 CFR 211.188Prepared for each batch, include complete information586517
21 CFR 123.7(a)Corrective action per predetermined plan583459
21 CFR 114.100(b)Processing and production - required information582450
21 CFR 110.37(e)(2)Hand cleaning and sanitizing preparations579548
21 CFR 110.37(e)(3)Hand drying579548
21 CFR 110.80(b)(5)Work-in-progress577509
21 CFR 111.453Written procedures - holding565510
21 CFR 820.80(a)Lack of or inadequate procedures - Acceptance activities559510
21 CFR 211.160(b)(4)Written calibration procedures554462
21 CFR 110.37(b)(5)Cross contamination553525
21 CFR 111.75(a)(2)(ii)(A)Component - qualify supplier551413
21 CFR 114.80(b)Visible code551473
21 CFR 803.50(a)(2)Individual Report of Malfunction549456
21 CFR 111.75(c)Specifications met - verify; finished batch542407
21 CFR 1.506(e)(1)Verification activity before import, periodically541489
21 CFR 110.10(b)(1)Suitable outer garments540497
21 CFR 117.4Training of employees and records540491
21 CFR 110.10(b)(8)Personal food/drink/tobacco538499
21 CFR 1271.47(a)Testing, screening, donor eligibility procedures537347
21 CFR 606.160(a)(1)Person performing, test results, interpretation533351
21 CFR 123.6(a)Hazard analysis531466
21 CFR 117.93Storage and Distribution519484
21 CFR 111.70(b)(2)Specifications-component purity, strength, composition513397
21 CFR 820.70(c)Environmental control system periodic inspections512426
21 CFR 111.503Written procedures - returned dietary supplement; salvaged510463
21 CFR 114.80(a)(1)Use of preservatives (S)509433
21 CFR 120.8(a)No HACCP plan507369
21 CFR 111.70(b)(1)Specifications - component identity490381
21 CFR 110.20(b)(6)Fans/air blowing equipment487429
21 CFR 820.30(j)Design history file471430
21 CFR 117.126(a)(1)Food safety plan458412
21 CFR 123.6(c)(7)Records values/observations455389
21 CFR 211.42(c)(10)(iv)Environmental Monitoring System452360
FDCA 501(a)(2)(A)Vermin, production area/adjacent areas450115
21 CFR 110.80(b)(8)Metal / extraneous materials448403
21 CFR 117.135(c)(3)Sanitation preventive controls - Appropriate (Adequate)440401
21 CFR 1.505(b)Supplier approval - evaluation436408
21 CFR 211.180(e)(2)Review of problem drugs436361
21 CFR 820.90(b)(2)Retesting and reevaluation of reworked product429388
21 CFR 606.100(c)Thorough investigations417313
21 CFR 110.37(f)Odor, attractant for pests, harborage413380
21 CFR 211.80(a)Written Procedures Not Followed413364
21 CFR 820.70(i)Validation of changes to automated process software409361
21 CFR 820.40(a)Not approved or obsolete document retrieval406372
21 CFR 114.83Scheduled process establishment405339
21 CFR 117.145(a)Sanitation Controls Monitoring Proced: Establish Implement402297
21 CFR 803.50(a)(1)Report of Death or Serious Injury402343
21 CFR 211.165(e)Test methods401364
21 CFR 110.10(b)(5)Impermeable (S)397368
21 CFR 110.37(a)Suitable temp. and pressure396357
21 CFR 820.50(a)Evaluation of suppliers, contractors, etc., requirements396369
21 CFR 820.50(a)(1)Evaluation and Selection, Suppliers, Contractors, etc.396362
21 CFR 211.170(b)Reserve samples identified, representative, stored393326
21 CFR 812.100No investigator protection - subject rights, safety, welfare375311
21 CFR 211.84(d)(1)Identity Testing of Each Component371330
21 CFR 312.62(a)Unused drug disposition (investigator)370352
21 CFR 110.40(e)Lack of thermometer357328
21 CFR 110.20(b)(2)Contamination with microorganisms, chemicals, filth, etc.355331
21 CFR 111.70(b)Specifications - components353343
21 CFR 820.80(e)Maintained as part of the DHR {see also 820.184}352327
21 CFR 111.83(a)Reserve sample - collect, hold349315
21 CFR 820.30(e)Design reviews performed following schedule345330
21 CFR 110.35(b)(1)Unacceptable toxic compounds344326
21 CFR 820.198(e)Records of complaint investigation - UDI342321
21 CFR 117.35(e)Sanitation of non-food-contact surfaces - Manner and frequency340313
21 CFR 820.30(c)Incomplete, ambiguous, conflicting design requirements339313
21 CFR 1271.50(a)Responsible person to determine, document338231
21 CFR 1271.75(a)(1)Risk factors, clinical evidence337253
21 CFR 117.80(a)Plant operations - Precautions335319
21 CFR 111.255(a)Batch record - every batch333281
21 CFR 820.250(b)Sampling plans331307
21 CFR 211.194(a)Complete test data included in records330291
21 CFR 211.113(a)Procedures for non-sterile drug products328295
21 CFR 211.182Written records kept in individual logs324291
21 CFR 113.100(b)Review of processing and production records321244
21 CFR 211.58Buildings not maintained in good state of repair320285
21 CFR 812.110(b)Investigator non-compliance with agreement/plan/regulations315309
21 CFR 111.475(b)(1)Written procedures - holding; distributing314290
21 CFR 211.137(a)Expiration date lacking313273
21 CFR 211.42(c)(10)(v)Cleaning System313259
21 CFR 108.25(c)(1)Registration307280
21 CFR 110.40(c)Non food-contact equipment in processing area307284
21 CFR 118.4Written SE plan not implemented/followed307196

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