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U.S. EPA fines central California company $10,400 for selling misbranded pesticide

Release Date: 9/20/2005
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, (415) 947-4248

SAN FRANCISCO-- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today fined Leffingwell Ag Sales, Inc. of Lindsay, Calif. $10,400 for the alleged sale and distribution of a misbranded pesticide, a violation of federal pesticide law.

The company sold and distributed a pesticide product known as BioCover MLT without proper labeling from its Ivanhoe facility. The product was missing a directions booklet, net contents information, and the container had multiple product labels affixed, leading to confusion about the product in the container.

"Improper labeling can result in harm to the pesticide user or environment," said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the EPA 's Communities and Ecosystems Division for the Pacific Southwest region. "To ensure the safe use of pesticides, registrants are required to provide accurate product information and instructions, which should appear on the product label."

The misbranded product was discovered during an inspection conducted by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation in 2004.

Before selling or distributing any pesticide in the United States, companies are required to register the pesticide with the EPA. As part of the registration process, pesticides are labeled with both a registration number and an establishment number used for product tracking purposes. Also required on the label is information concerning the producer and name, brand or trademark under which the pesticide is sold, as well as directions for use and other information to provide consumers with the information they need to use the products safely.

For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/fifra.