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U.S. EPA Fines Fresno Company For Selling Misbranded Pesticides

Release Date: 4/20/2005
Contact Information: Lisa Fasano, (415) 947-4307

    SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently fined Wilbur-Ellis Co. of Fresno, Calif., $4,400 for the alleged sale and distribution of a misbranded pesticide in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
     The EPA cited Wilbur-Ellis Co. for failing to properly label a bulk tank of Superior Spray Oil, a pesticide product used to control insects on fruit trees, that it sold to a Turlock, Calif. retailer for repackaging purposes.  More specifically, Wilbur-Ellis failed to provide any labeling to this bulk tank of pesticide, resulting in the absence of all required information, including most importantly directions for use necessary to protect health and the environment.
 
      "The EPA's pesticide regulations require proper labeling of bulk pesticide containers, even if the product is sold for repackaging," said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the EPA's Communities and Ecosystems Division.  "Registered pesticides must be sold with their approved label. Without that label, there is a risk of misusing the product which could lead to harm to public health and the environment."

     The enforcement action was based on information obtained during an inspection at the Turlock, Calif. retailer by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation in January 2004.

     Before selling or distributing any pesticide in the United States, companies must properly register the pesticide with the EPA.  Pesticides that have been registered with the Agency will be labeled with an EPA Registration Number and information concerning the producer and name, brand, or trademark under which the pesticide is sold, as well as directions for use and other information necessary to protect consumers and the environment.

     For more information on pesticide regulation and enforcement, please visit EPA's webpage at: https://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/fifra/
                               
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