Griffin Bros to pay $36,160 penalty for violating federal pesticide rules

Griffin Bros. Inc. of Salem, Oregon has settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for violating federal pesticide rules. According to recent settlement, Griffin Bros. Inc. sold pesticides with improper labels in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

"When companies sell mislabeled pesticides they put people’s health and the environment at risk," said Kelly McFadden, manager of EPA’s pesticides and toxics enforcement program in Seattle. "Without proper labeling and safety instructions, consumers risk misapplying these pesticides."

Griffin Bros. Inc. sold two misbranded pesticide products, Bowl San and Lobacten Sanitizer, at least 92 times in 2011 and 2012. The products did not have up-to-date labels with current approved directions for use, and storage and disposal statements. To settle the violations, Griffin Bros. Inc. has agreed to pay a $36,160 penalty . As part of the settlement, Griffin Bros. Inc. promptly corrected the improper labels and changed their practices to prevent this type of violation from happening again.

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, pesticides must be registered with the EPA. Before a pesticide is registered, the producer must provide data from tests conducted according to EPA guidelines to ensure that the product will not harm people’s health. EPA examines the ingredients, how the product will be used, and its potential human health and environmental effects. The products must be distributed and sold with proper labeling and instructions, with the approved warning and caution statements, and detailed use directions. Distributors and retailers are responsible for ensuring that all pesticides distributed and sold fully comply with the law: http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/fifra.html