Illegal Pest-Control Products
The Environmental Protection Agency fined three companies
in September for selling and distributing unregistered versions
of Frontline and Advantage flea/tick products.
Rizing Sun L.L.C. (Peoria, Ariz.), Pang & Son Distribution
L.L.C. (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Tidalwave Distribution Inc.
(Torrance, Calif.) collectively were fined $748,000 for trafficking
the products, found in retail stores in California, Hawaii,
Georgia, Oregon and Pennsylvania, according to the EPA.
The enforcement actions are part of an ongoing multi-state
effort to reduce the number of counterfeit and unregistered
pest-control products intended for use on pets. In March 2004,
EPA issued stop-sale orders to 56 retailers and distributors
in seven states.
The counterfeit pesticides were legally manufactured overseas.
However, they were imported unlawfully and packaged in retail
cartons designed to look like legitimately registered U.S.
pesticides, according to the EPA, which regulates all pesticides
used in the United States.
Because the counterfeit products were not subject to federal
scrutiny, the EPA cannot offer assurances that the correct
dose was put into the package.
The only way to determine whether a product is counterfeit
is to open the package. Among the indications the product
may be counterfeit:
- Package inserts bearing directions for use may be missing,
or may be printed in a foreign language.
- The package may not contain the appropriate-size applicator
for the animal indicated on the carton.
- The product is not packaged in required child-resistant
packaging.
Persons who distribute or sell counterfeit products are subject
to civil or criminal penalties up to $27,500 per sale, one
year imprisonment or both. Persons who violate the stop-sale
order are subject to additional penalties.
For additional information, visit
www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/retailerfactsh.pdf
or www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/petproduct.htm.
[January 2005 PET AGE]
AFFECTED FLEA/TICK PRODUCTS
Here are brand names and
EPA registration numbers for legitimately registered flea/tick
products. Counterfeit products may use the same names
and numbers:
- Advantage 10 for Dogs (EPA Reg. No. 11556-117).
- Advantage 20 for Dogs (EPA Reg. No. 11556-119).
- Advantage 55 for Dogs (EPA Reg. No. 11556-120).
- Advantage 100 for Dogs (EPA Reg. No. 11556-122).
- Advantage 9 for Cats (EPA Reg. No. 11556-116).
- Advantage 18 for Cats (EPA Reg. No. 11556-118).
- Frontline Plus for Dogs (EPA Reg. No. 65331-5).
- Frontline Top Spot for Dogs (EPA Reg. No. 65331-3).
- Frontline Plus for Cats (EPA Reg. No. 65331-4).
- Frontline Top Spot for Cats (EPA Reg. No. 65331-2).
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Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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