Minnesota EcoMoms-Chapter of the EcoMom Alliance

EPA ordered the companies, collectively an international producer and distributor of lawn care products, to immediately stop selling and distributing two products which can be identified by the invalid “EPA registration number” listed on the package. Invalid registration number 62355-4 is marketed under names including “Garden Weed Preventer + Plant Food” and “Miracle Gro Shake ‘n’ Feed All Purpose Plant Food Plus Weed Preventer.” Invalid registration number 538-304 is used primarily by Scotts Lawn Service, a lawn care company. It is marketed under names including “Scotts Lawn Service Fertilizer with .28% Halts,” “Scotts Lawn Service Fertilizer 0-0-7 Plus .28% Halts Pro,” “Scotts Lawn Service Fertilizer 14-2-5 Plus .28% Halts Pro” and “Scotts Lawn Service Fertlizer 22-0-8 Plus .28% Halts Pro.”

In an effort to make sure these products are immediately removed from the marketplace, EPA will also issue stop sale orders to major retailers that carry these products.

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, all pesticides must be submitted to EPA for review, evaluation and registration to ensure that they do not pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. EPA’s review and registration process is internationally recognized. Pesticide products that have not undergone EPA review may pose risks to human health and the environment.

Click on the link to find out what to do with the stash you have in your garage. Do not dump it down drains. You can return it to the store where you purchased it or drop it off at your hazardous waste drop off. My closest drop off is in Bloomington. I have various bags of this stuff in the garage. Yikes!

“A manufacturer such as Scotts cannot ignore the important legal requirement of registering its pesticides,” said Region 5 Administrator Mary A. Gade. “This is a serious violation of EPA’s system for protecting people and the environment from the potential harmful effects of pesticides. EPA will fully investigate this violation and take appropriate actions. We are committed to keeping the public informed about any health consequences and providing information to assure the safe recall of these products as soon as possible.”

For more information on pesticides, go to http://www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/ptb/pest.
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