All News Releases By Date

EPA ORDERS PET STORES TO STOP SELLING MISBRANDED PET PRODUCTS

Release Date: 03/3/2000
Contact Information: Wesley Lambert, EPA Media Relations, 404-562-8316 Cheryn Jones, Pesticides Section, 404 562-9006

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that Stop, Sale, Use, or Removal Orders (Stop Sale Orders) were issued to four companies in Florida for selling misbranded flea products. These companies sold and distributed misbranded versions of the popular flea-control products “Advantage for Dogs” and “Advantage for Cats.” EPA’s action was based on inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The misbranded, incorrectly labeled pesticide products were offered for sale at two Pet Supermarket Inc. stores, located in Lakeland and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and at Pet Mart located in Tampa, Florida. EPA also issued a Stop Sale Order to petmedexpress.com,inc., 1441 S.W. 29th Avenue, Pompano Beach, Florida 33069. This company purchased the misbranded Advantage flea control products from an overseas location and sold the products directly to the retail pet stores. The Advantage flea control products for use on dogs and cats are missing required labeling information about how to use the products safely. The package label did not bear adequate directions for use, an ingredient statement, and the correct EPA Establishment Number. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), all pesticide products must be correctly labeled before they can legally be sold or distributed in the United States. The Agency label requirements ensure the pesticide labels provide consumers with the information they need to use the products safely. The EPA Establishment Number on the package allows EPA to easily identify the producers of a pesticide in the event of a recall or suspension. The Stop Sale Orders prohibit the companies from selling, using, or removing the pesticide products since there is reason to believe the pesticides are in violation of FIFRA or are intended to be distributed or sold in violation of FIFRA.