EPA is acting to disrupt an effort to distribute counterfeit pet
pesticides. The Agency has ordered pesticide distributors and retailers
in a number of states to stop selling counterfeit pet pesticide products
which falsely contain EPA Registration numbers and labeling for the
"Advantage" and "Frontline" brands of pesticides. "Advantage" and
"Frontline" are trade names of widely available pesticides for control
of fleas and ticks on cats and dogs.
The counterfeit pesticides appear to have been unlawfully imported and
packaged in retail cartons which are designed to look similar to
legitimately registered pesticides sold in the U.S. EPA's investigation
indicates that the counterfeit products have been sold to distributors
and retailers throughout the country. The counterfeit products have
outer retail cartons that are made to resemble EPA registered
pesticides. Inside the cartons are applicators labeled and packaged for
overseas markets. In some cases, the pesticide applicators may not have
the proper child-resistant packaging or the accompanying instructional
leaflet required by the Agency is missing. In addition, the consumer
cannot be assured that the pesticide dosage is correct for the animal
pictured on the retail carton.
The counterfeit products may be different from legitimate Advantage and
Frontline products in several ways. EPA has posted detailed
information, including photos of legitimate products, at:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/petproduct.htm .
Counterfeit products should be disposed of according to accepted
procedures for other household chemicals. Many communities and
municipalities have local resources to dispose of household chemicals,
and consumers are encouraged to contact their local solid waste
authority for more information on disposal programs for chemicals. Pet
owners who are concerned their pet may be affected by counterfeit
products should contact their veterinarian.
EPA regulates all pesticides used in the U.S. Before a pesticide can be
marketed in this country the Agency performs a rigorous scientific
review to ensure that use of the product is not likely to cause harmful
effects on people, pets or the environment. Under the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA requires
pesticide products to contain instructions for proper use, safety
precautions to follow and directions for proper disposal of unused
product and their containers. Legitimate Advantage and Frontline
products that have been through EPA's comprehensive review process are
registered for use in the United States, and are not affected by this
action. Because the counterfeit pesticides do not conform with
established safeguards, the Agency has issued "Stop Sale" orders on the
counterfeit products in question. Extensive additional information is
available at:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/petproduct.htm .__________________