Hu-Friedy reaches settlement with EPA, fined over alleged violations
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a settlement with Hu-Friedy Manufacturing of Chicago to stop selling and distributing unregistered and misbranded pesticide products. The settlement includes a civil penalty of $464,737.50 to resolve alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
Hu-Friedy primarily produces and distributes dental hygiene equipment and supplies. EPA alleges that the company offered for sale pesticide products as part of a kit, which was not EPA registered. As a result, the composition and labeling of the products had not been reviewed for efficacy and safety.
In addition, EPA alleges that Hu-Friedy had made claims for an EPA-registered pesticide product that is not allowed under the product’s EPA registration and could mislead the public regarding the product’s safety and effectiveness.
“EPA is committed to ensuring that companies comply with federal pesticide laws,” said EPA Region 5 Acting Administrator Cheryl Newton. “These rules help guarantee that consumers have access to products that are effective and can be used safely.”
EPA and Hu-Friedy have entered into a consent agreement and final order resolving these alleged FIFRA violations. Hu-Friedy has come into compliance by ceasing the sale and distribution of the products and has agreed to pay a $464,737.50 penalty to the federal government.
