The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last
week a settlement with Tranzonic Cos., known as Hospeco Brands Group, in Cleveland, Ohio, for allegedly selling unre
gistered pesticide products and a product with incorrect pesticidal c
laims. The company will pay $326,200 in penalties and remove all false claims in marketing materials.
Hospeco allegedly distributed or sold three unregistered p
esticides in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and R
odenticide Act (FIFRA). The products, Saniworks Deluxe Antimicrobial
Towel, Saniworks EPS Towels (Enhanced Performance for Sanitizing), and Odor Inhibiting Restroom Mats were sold online.
Hospeco also allegedly sold the registered pesticide Wet
Works +Plus Pre-saturated Surface Cleaning Wipes claiming to b
e “hospital-grade,” which is a false and misleading claim and was not part of the product’s registration.
Hospeco has since changed the marketing of the unregistered produ
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cts to remove any pesticidal claims. Hospeco also removed misleading claims from the WetWorks +Plus Pre-saturated Surface Cleaning Wipes.
Under FIFRA, products that claim to kill, destroy, prevent, or repel bacteria or viruses, among other things, on surfaces
, are considered pesticides and must go through EPA’s registration process to ensure that the products perform as i
ntended prior to sale. Human health claims can only be made for products that have been registered with EPA.