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PA EPA ISSUES DRAFT GUIDANCE TO PREVENT MISLEADING PUBLIC HEALTH CLAIMS ON PRODUCTS TREATED WITH MATERIALS PRESERVATIVES
Release Date: 04/24/98
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1998
EPA ISSUES DRAFT GUIDANCE TO PREVENT MISLEADING PUBLIC HEALTH CLAIMS ON PRODUCTS TREATED WITH MATERIALS PRESERVATIVES
In an effort to prevent the public from being misled that certain products protect consumers from germs and bacteria, EPA has issued draft guidance to clarify the claims it permits under its treated articles policy. Under this policy, pesticides that are incorporated into a product for the purpose of protecting the product from the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms must be registered with EPA. When used to protect products in this way, these pesticides are known as materials preservatives. There is no evidence that the use of materials preservatives in a product protects consumers from germs and bacteria. In its draft guidance, EPA provides instruction on the claims that are acceptable on products when they’ve been treated with a materials preservative. These claims are restricted to stating that the material preservative will only protect the product. EPA is issuing this draft guidance in response to a growing number of public health claims that are being made for products, such as cutting boards, utensils and toys, that have been treated with chemical preservatives and other pesticides. Under EPA’s treated articles policy, these public health claims are not legal. EPA is accepting comments on its draft guidance until May 11. Copies of the guidance may be obtained as follows: by fax, call 202-401-0527 and select item 6110; electronically at: https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. For additional information, contact Walter Francis at 703-308-6419 or e-mail, francis.walter@epamail.epa.gov.R-47 ###
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