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EPA settles with Star-Brite Distributing, Inc., of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, for production and distribution of unregistered products

Release Date: 01/07/2005
Contact Information:

For Immediate Release 
January 7, 2005

Contact: Laura Niles Phone: (404) 562-8353

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the settlement of an administrative enforcement action against Star-Brite Distributing, Inc. (Star-Brite), located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  The settlement requires Star-Brite to comply with FIFRA and pay a $28,160 penalty.

On May 3, 2004, EPA sent a letter to Star-Brite regarding potential violations from the production and distribution of “Star-Brite mildew control bags” and “Star-Brite Boat Bottom Cleaner Barnacle & Zebra Mussel Remover.” The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services collected samples of these products during inspections at the Star-Brite facility.  The product labels included pesticidal claims to control mildew and to remove barnacles, mussels and algae; however, neither product was registered with the EPA as required by FIFRA.  In addition, the Star-Brite facility was not registered with EPA as a pesticide-producing facility. 

While neither admitting nor denying the alleged violations, Star-Brite agreed to pay the penalty of $28,160.  In addition, Star-Brite ceased distribution of the unregistered pesticides when notified of the violations and worked with EPA’s Antimicrobial Division to develop new labels that do not include any pesticidal claims.

FIFRA defines a pesticide as “any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest.”  According to Section 3(a) of FIFRA, all pesticides must be registered with EPA prior to distribution or sale.  Registered pesticides are required to conform to FIFRA’s labeling regulations, and establishments that produce pesticides must be registered with EPA.