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U.S. EPA takes action against Vernon importer to protect consumers from unregistered pesticide / Filo America pays more than $20,000

Release Date: 10/28/2008
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan, (415) 947-4149, perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled with Vernon, Calif., based Filo America for $20,800 for allegedly selling an unregistered disinfectant bathroom cleaner, a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

According to the EPA, Filo America, located at 2701 South Santa Fe, imported “Pacific Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner” from China and sold it as a disinfectant cleaner without properly registering the product with the EPA, as required by federal pesticide law.

“Companies that want to sell pesticides in the U.S. must ensure that the products are registered with the EPA and meet all federal and state laws,” said Katherine Taylor, associate director in the Communities and Ecosystems Division of EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “Products that claim to disinfect must undergo review by the EPA and display a federally accepted label.”

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services originally found “Pacific Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner” at a retailer in Lumberton, N.C., then traced the product back to Filo America in California, where the firm was inspected by the EPA.

Since the violations were discovered, the company has cooperated with the EPA’s investigation and promptly recalled all unregistered products.

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers are responsible for ensuring that pesticides sold in the U.S. fully comply with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, which regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the US.

For more information on the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/index.htm