US EPA orders halt to sales of some Fabuloso products in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered cleaning product distributors in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska to stop the sale and distribution of certain Fabuloso products. According to the EPA, Estancia La Bodega Inc. in St. Louis, Pan-Y-Mas in Kansas City, Kansas, and Promex Ltd. in Omaha, Nebraska, distributed cleaning products that were illegally imported into the U.S. and could pose a danger to consumers.

“EPA requires registration of all pesticide products brought into the U.S. to protect the public from exposure to potentially harmful chemicals,” said Meg McCollister, EPA Region 7 Administrator. “The Agency is committed to protecting consumers, particularly those who live in areas already burdened by pollution.”

The illegal Fabuloso products contain glutaraldehyde, an active ingredient that is not authorized in the U.S. due to potential health risks. According to the EPA, these risks include throat and lung irritation, asthma and difficulty breathing, dermatitis, nasal irritation, sneezing, wheezing, burning eyes, and conjunctivitis. The unauthorized Fabuloso products had labels written primarily in Spanish.

In addition to the illegal Fabuloso products, the EPA found that Pan-Y-Mas in Kansas City, Kansas, was also selling an unregistered Clorox Ropa stain remover, and that Estancia La Bodega was selling an unregistered Clorox 48 Horas cleaner.

To make sure the product is registered with the EPA, check the label if you recently purchased a Fabuloso disinfectant or any of the Clorox products mentioned above. If the label does not include an EPA registration number or indicates that it is not approved for sale in the U.S., contact your waste provider for instructions on how to dispose of the product.

The EPA offers a hotline to answer questions about pesticides at 1-800-858-7378. A Spanish version is available at 1-888-919-4372.