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EPA cites companies for unproven claims about their antimicrobial pesticide's effectiveness

Release Date: 10/1/2003
Contact Information: Laura Gentile, Press Office, 415/947-4227

SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency settled for $31,680 with Envirosystems, Inc., a San Jose-based company, for allegedly making unproven claims about the effectiveness of its surface disinfectant, in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

The EPA cited the company's Santa Clara facility for selling Eco Tru, an antimicrobial product designed to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, with labeling that allegedly claimed its effectiveness against Hepatitis C. While the product was registered with the EPA in 2001, its Hepatitis C claim had not been approved by the EPA. In addition, Envirosystems allegedly sold an antibacterial wipe without obtaining EPA registration, a separate violation of federal pesticide law.

Under federal law, the EPA cited another company that produces the disinfectant product under a different name. The EPA settled with the sub-registrant, Andpak Inc. of Morgan Hill, for $4,400 for allegedly making similar unproven claims about the product's effectiveness.

"Companies need to ensure that their products are labeled properly," says Enrique Manzanilla, director of EPA's Cross Media Division. "Faulty labeling not only misleads the consumer, but could result in harm to human health."

These cases are based on inspections conducted by the US EPA's Pacific Southwest Office and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.