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U.S. EPA settles with SoCal pesticide company for $84,500 over unregistered Mexican pesticides

Release Date: 10/09/2007
Contact Information: Francisco Arcaute, 213/244-1815 arcaute.francisco@epa.gov

LOS ANGELES – As part of a recent settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the alleged sale of unregistered pesticides, Triunfo-Mex., Inc., of City of Industry, Calif., will pay $84,500.00.

Triunfo-Mex, Inc., located at 13886 Nelson Ave, City of Industry, sells and distributes various products from Mexico.

“If a company sells or distributes imported products, they must be sure these products are properly registered under federal law,” said Katherine Taylor, associate director of the EPA’s Communities and Ecosystems Division for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “The EPA will continue to seek out violators of federal regulations and level fines in our continuing efforts to protect human health and the environment.”

According to the EPA, Triunfo-Mex sold and distributed two Mexican products – “Fabuloso Energia Naranja” and “Fabuloso Aroma de Bebe.” The label states the products are “antibacterial,” which constitutes a pesticidal claim.

The case was based on an inspection conducted by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation in 2005.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the United States. Before selling or distributing any pesticide in the United States, companies must register the pesticide with the EPA. Each producer, seller, and distributor is required pursuant to federal law to ensure that the registered pesticide is labeled in accordance with Agency requirements.

For more information on pesticide regulation and enforcement, please visit: www.epa.gov/pesticides/