EPA and US Customs stops shipment of illegal anti-virus disinfectants from Asia

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) just announced that they have stopped more than 7,800 illegal health products from entering the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). 

Photo Credit: EPA

The products, such as the item Virus Shut Out, are not registered with the EPA and are being halted because the products are illegal under federal law.

Their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated and their instructions for use are not in English, another legal requirement. Additionally, on-line advertising for the products contain misleading claims about their safety and how well they work. As a result, they could threaten public health, a critical consideration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“EPA takes our responsibility to protect Americans from fraudulent products seriously,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “EPA is increasing the number of approved disinfectants on the market while taking action to prevent dishonest actors from selling fraudulent and illegal items that do nothing to protect Americans from the coronavirus.”

"It is critical that people only use EPA-registered disinfectants and follow label directions for proper use," said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud. "EPA will not tolerate companies selling illegal disinfectants and making false or misleading public health claims during this pandemic crisis."

“In the midst of this worldwide emergency, there are still those that would seek to take advantage by making false claims, scamming, and selling inferior products,” said CBP’s San Francisco Director of Field Operations Brian J. Humphrey.  “CBP’s primary goal is to protect the American public, and we will not allow unauthorized products such as these to enter the country.”