EPA Reaches $326,200 Settlement with Hospeco Brands Group for Allegedly Selling Unregistered Pesticide Products
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Tranzonic Cos., known as Hospeco Brands Group, in Cleveland, Ohio, for allegedly selling unregistered pesticide products and a product with incorrect pesticidal claims. The company will pay $326,200 in penalties and remove all false claims in marketing materials.
“Proper registration and accurate labeling of pesticide products are crucial for protecting human health and the environment,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel. “Businesses must ensure the integrity and safety of their products by working with EPA and adhering to pesticide standards.”
Hospeco allegedly distributed or sold three unregistered pesticides in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide 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 WetWorks +Plus Pre-saturated Surface Cleaning Wipes claiming to be “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 products 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 intended prior to sale. Human health claims can only be made for products that have been registered with EPA.
For more information about EPA’s enforcement program, visit the Agency’s website.
For more information about pesticides, visit EPA’s pesticides website.