All News Releases By Date

Fresno, Calif. fertilizer company fined $5,800 for distributing mislabeled fungicide

Release Date: 02/27/2006
Contact Information: Lisa Fasano 415-947-4307

SAN FRANCISCO (2/27/06) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Britz Fertilizers, Inc. of Fresno, Calif. $5,800 for allegedly distributing a mislabeled fungicide, in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, which regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the United States.

An October 2004 inspection by a Tulare County, Calif. investigator revealed that Britz Fertilizers, Inc. had distributed “Britz Botran Dust 6" - a fungicide used to control rot and blight on agricultural products - with a label displaying the signal words “Warning” and “Caution” violating federal laws since only one precautionary term is permitted. The signal word is used to inform the user how acutely toxic a pesticide is. For this product the correct word is “Caution.”

“Due to the potential for health risks and environmental impacts, pesticide producers need to ensure that their products carry current and accurate labels,” said Enrique Manzanilla, the EPA’s Communities and Ecosystems Division director for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “Every pesticide product label must show clearly and prominently the hazard and precautionary statements.”

Follow-up inspections by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation found misbranded “Britz Botran Dust 6" available in the Central California communities of Five Points and Traver. Britz corrected the labeling of the product.

For more information on pesticides, please visit the EPA’s website at:
https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/index.htm