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CENTINELA FEED AND PET SUPPLIES ORDERED TO STOP SELLING ILLEGAL PET PRODUCTS

Release Date: 6/27/2000
Contact Information: Randy Wittorp, U.S. EPA, 415-744-1589

     SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a stop sale order against Centinela Feed and Pet Supplies of Los Angeles for selling unregistered and mis-branded versions of the popular flea-control products, Advantage for Dogs and Advantage for Cats.

     Both Advantage products are missing labeling information required for safe use.  Neither product supplies first aid instructions, restriction information on application to puppies under 7 weeks old, or storage and disposal requirements.  Also, the instructions are in the metric system which could result in over-dosage of the product by those unfamiliar with the metric system.

     The mis-branded versions found at Centinela Feed and Pet Supply appear to be properly labeled and registered on the outer boxes.  But the internal tubes and blister packages are packaged for sale to foreign countries and are missing warning statements such as: "Keep Out of Children's Reach."  The products also lack the proper name and registration number.

     The EPA will not register a pesticide until it has been tested to show that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to the directions.  The agency also makes sure that pesticide labels provide consumers with the information they need to use the products safely.  Pesticide products that have undergone this review process are recognizable by the EPA registration number printed on the label.  

     There has been a recent increase in the number of companies bringing unregistered pet products into the United States.  Last year the EPA fined a San Diego pet store $15,400 for selling unregistered Advantage for Dogs and Advantage for Cats.  Also, Stop Sale Orders were issued to distributors in California, Arizona, and Florida.  Today's action was based on inspections conducted by the California Department of Pesticide Regulations.