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EPA Orders Scotts to Stop Selling Certain Pesticides

For more information

Contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) Exit EPA Disclaimer at 800-858-7378 (available 6:30 AM-4:30 PM, Pacific Daylight Time, including weekends).

NPIC County Extension Offices Exit EPA Disclaimer

Learn more about Stop Sale, Use or Removal orders under FIFRA (PDF) (7pp, 224K About PDF)

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EPA Region 5 contacts:

  • Rafael P. Gonzalez (gonzalez.rafaelp@epa.gov), 312-886-0269, Region 5 Land and Chemicals Division
  • Karen Thompson (thompson.karen@epa.gov), 312-353-8547, Region 5 Office of Public Affairs
  • Region 5 toll-free: 800-621-8431, 9AM - 4:30PM Central Time, weekdays.

In Spring 2008, EPA began issuing enforcement actions against The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and its affiliates (Marysville, OH) due to problems that have been identified with some of its products.  This Web page describes the status of the various products subject to EPA enforcement action.

In April and May 2008, EPA ordered The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and its affiliates (Marysville, OH), as well as major retailers, to stop distributing and selling four pesticide products that were unregistered or improperly labeled. Scotts recalled these products from retailers, consumers, and the company’s lawn care affiliate, Scotts LawnService.

As part of EPA’s investigation into Scotts pesticide products, in June and September 2008, EPA issued “stop sale, use or removal” orders for eight more Scotts products that are unregistered, improperly labeled, make false or misleading claims, contain statements that EPA did not approve as part of the products’ registration, or make claims that were not supported by submissions of required scientific studies.  Additional information is provided below about each product and the issues of concern.

Retailers can continue to distribute and sell their current stock of the eight products affected by the June and September stop sale orders.  However, stocks of seven of those eight products that remain in Scotts’ facilities must be relabeled or repackaged with EPA-accepted labels.  One Scotts’ product will be returned to its manufacturer, Golden Gate Designs, for appropriate handling or modification.  EPA is allowing products already in the hands of retailers to be sold because the potential for harm from use according to the label directions and precautionary statements is minor.   

Before a pesticide can be sold or distributed, it must be registered with EPA to protect public health and the environment.  As part of the registration process, a company must ensure the pesticide meets the claims made on its label.  To ensure the safe use of pesticides, companies are also required by federal law to provide accurate information and instructions on the product label.  Companies wanting to amend pesticide labels are required to seek EPA approval. Pesticide products must comply with federal regulations to maintain consistency, avoid confusion, and ensure that products can be used properly and safely.

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Twelve Pesticides Products Affected

EPA Reg. # Product Name Reason for Stop Sale Stop Sale Date
239-2516 “Season Long Max Weed and Grass Killer Plus Preventer” False or misleading label claims 9/12/08
239-2665 “Weed B Gon Lawn Weed Killer 3” or
“Weed B Gon® MaxTM SinglesTM”
Improper or insufficient labeling 9/12/08
239-2679 “ORTHO Roach, Ant and Spider Killer” or “Roach, Ant and Spider Killer” False or misleading and  unsubstantiated label claims

Improper or insufficient labeling

9/12/08
2217-896-239 “Weed B Gon Max Plus Crabgrass Control Singles” Improper or insufficient labeling 9/12/08
538-281 “Winterizer with Plus 2 Weed Control” Contains unapproved ingredients 9/12/08
538-283 Super Winterizer with Plus 2 Weed Control” or
“Super Turf Builder WinterguardTM with Plus 2® Weed Control”
Contains unapproved ingredients 9/12/08
No Regis- tration number “Citronella Lamp Oil” Unregistered pesticide product 9/12/08
239-2663 “Ortho Home Defense MAX Perimeter and Indoor Insect Killer” False or misleading and unsubstantiated label claims

Improper or insufficient labeling

6/26/08
538-299 Turf Builder Pre/Post 2” or “

Scotts Turf Builder Max Plus 2 Weed & Feed And Crabgrass Preventer”

Sold before EPA registration with false or misleading label claims or lacking proper safety instructions 4/25/08
538-301 “SouthernMax” or

“Scotts Bonus S Max Southern Weed & Feed and Fire Ant Killer”

Sold before EPA registration with false or misleading label claims or lacking proper safety instructions 4/25/08
538-304 “SLS Fertilizer With .28 Halts,”
 “0-0-7 Plus .28% Halts Pro,”
“22-0-8 Plus .28% Halts Pro” or

“14-2-5 Plus .28% Halts Pro”

Unregistered pesticide product 4/23/08
62355-4 “Garden Weed Preventer + Plant Food” or “Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n’ Feed All Purpose Plant Food Plus Weed Preventer” Unregistered pesticide product 4/23/08

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Scotts Stop Sale, Use or Removal Orders

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