EPA Orders Hospital Disinfectant's Sales Halted
ZEP Formula 165 is not effective against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, contrary to its labeling claim, according to the agency.
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a Stop Sale, Use, or Removal Order (SSURO) to Zep, Inc. to stop the sale of ZEP Formula 165, a disinfectant intended for use in hospitals. The agency said its antimicrobial testing found that "contrary to labeling claims, the product was ineffective against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis."
The Atlanta company's website describes Formula 165 as a "Germicidal detergent that can clean, deodorize and disinfect. Kills a broad spectrum of both Gram negative and Gram positive organisms; non-selective. Kills Staph, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Tuburculoes and more. Free-rinsing. Contains a blend of synthetic detergents, water-softening agents, soil-suspending agents, emulsifiers, and three powerful phenolic germicides. EPA registered."
The company issued this statement: "Zep is in the process of complying with the EPA's Stop Sale Notification for Zep Formula 165 Concentrated Disinfectant. The company is working to notify its customers of their need to properly dispose of this product or return the product to Zep for disposal, and is recommending a number of the company’s other disinfectants as alternatives."
The order was issued to Zep, Inc. for selling and distributing a misbranded pesticide in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).