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Retailers Ordered to Stop Sales of Counterfeit Pesticide Products For Dogs and Cats

Release Date: 3/11/2004
Contact Information: Bill Dunbar
dunbar.bill@epamail.epa.gov
(206) 553-1203

March 11, 2004

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is acting to disrupt an effort to distribute counterfeit pet pesticides. The agency has ordered pesticide distributors and retailers in a number of states to stop selling counterfeit pet pesticide products which falsely contain EPA Registration numbers and labeling for the Advantage and Frontline brands of pesticides. Advantage and Frontline are trade names of widely available pesticides for control of fleas and ticks on cats and dogs.

The counterfeit pesticides appear to have been unlawfully imported and packaged in retail cartons which are designed to look similar to legitimately registered pesticides sold in the U.S.

The EPA’s investigation indicates that the counterfeit products have been sold to distributors and retailers throughout the country. The counterfeit products have outer retail cartons that are made to resemble the EPA-registered pesticides. Inside the cartons are applicators labeled and packaged for overseas markets. In some cases, the pesticide applicators may not have the proper child-resistant packaging or the accompanying instructional leaflet required by the agency is missing. In addition, the consumer cannot be assured that the pesticide dosage is correct for the animal pictured on the retail carton.

The counterfeit products may be different from legitimate Advantage and Frontline products in several ways. The EPA has posted detailed information, including photos of legitimate products.

Counterfeit products should be disposed of according to accepted procedures for other household chemicals. Many communities and municipalities have local resources to dispose of household chemicals, and consumers are encouraged to contact their local solid waste authority for more information on disposal programs for chemicals. Pet owners who are concerned their pet may be affected by counterfeit products should contact their veterinarian.

The EPA regulates all pesticides used in the U.S. Before a pesticide can be marketed in this country the Agency performs a rigorous scientific review to ensure that use of the product is not likely to cause harmful effects on people, pets or the environment. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the EPA requires pesticide products to contain instructions for proper use, safety precautions to follow and directions for proper disposal of unused product and their containers.

Legitimate Advantage and Frontline products that have been through EPA’s comprehensive review process are registered for use in the United States, and are not affected by this action. Because the counterfeit pesticides do not conform with established safeguards, the agency has issued “Stop Sale” orders on the counterfeit products in question.