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PA EPA ORDERS COMPANIES TO STOP SELLING HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS THAT MAKE UNLAWFUL CLAIMS ABOUT PROTECTING PEOPLE FROM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Release Date: 01/23/98
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998
EPA ORDERS COMPANIES TO STOP SELLING HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS THAT MAKE UNLAWFUL CLAIMS ABOUT PROTECTING PEOPLE FROM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
On Jan. 14, 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered seven companies that make kitchen and other household products to immediately stop selling and distributing items that make unlawful public health protection claims in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The companies, including Arrow Plastics Manufacturing Co., Acrylic Plastics Products Inc., Farberware Lifetime Hoan, Bradshaw International Inc., Decorator House Inc., Better House Corp. and Pacific International Group were cited by one of EPA’s regional offices, based in Chicago. The “stop sale” order applies to a number of kitchen houseware items, such as cutting boards, kitchen gadgets and utensils, which are not registered by EPA and make false or misleading claims with regard to public health protection from infectious bacteria and viruses. Products claiming to prevent, destroy, or repel pests, including bacteria and viruses, are considered pesticides and must be registered with EPA. Under FIFRA, EPA registers all pesticides and pesticide products for use in and around homes. No pesticide may be sold or used in the United States unless its label bears an EPA registration number. Consumers should be aware that these companies have not proven to EPA that their products prevent the growth of bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses as their labels claim.
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