A discount retailer agreed to pay a $751,055 federal fine for marketing and selling unregistered disinfectants in historically underserved and disadvantaged neighborhoods throughout Arizona, California and Nevada.
99 Cents Only Stores LLC reportedly sold Spanish-language household cleaner Bref Densicloro in underserved Latinx communities between October 2020 and June 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency said in a July 28 news release.
“By taking action against companies selling disinfectants that are not effective, do not meet our safety standards or make false claims, EPA is protecting the public as we all continue to face COVID-19 challenges,” EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman said in the release. "Companies that sell illegal disinfectants will face significant fines."
Bref Densicloro was not registered as required under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the release reported. Additionally, California Department of Pesticide Regulation inspectors identified two other products – Momentum Brands Disinfectant Wipes and Alchemy Living Multi Surface Cleaner – offered at 99 Cents Only’s Murrieta, Calif. store that also made pesticidal claims but were unregistered under FIFRA.
The company agreed to pay the fine as part of a settlement of the case, EPA said in the release.
"California takes these types of violations seriously, especially in communities that historically have been disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards,” said DPR Director Julie Henderson, according to the release. “Selling unregistered pesticides – including disinfectants -- is both unlawful and potentially dangerous. Our scientists routinely inspect stores throughout the state for illegal pesticides like these, and the department also works closely with the EPA to ensure violators are punished.”
