Posted September 16, 2013
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR)
has filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods Market, Inc. claiming that four products
containing unregistered pesticides are being sold at stores in the state,
according to a Sacramento Bee article, available here.
The lawsuit was filed in the Sacramento Superior Court,
and asks for a court order requiring Whole Foods to explain “why it is selling
pesticide products that do not comply with state safety laws.” The products are 365 Natural Pines Pellet Cat
Litter, Purely Botanical Cat Flea Spray, Purely Botanical Dog Flea Spray, and
Environman Bugs R Done Bug spray.
New 10 reports that according to the lawsuit, the
California Attorney General’s Office served Whole Foods with investigative
subpoenas in April and the company “responded with an objection to each
category of documents requested and did not produce the desired information.” The News 10 article is available here.
California collects 2.1 cents per dollar on sales of registered
pesticide products and sales of unregistered pesticides are subject to civil
penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
Whole Foods told the Huffington Post: “These products have not yet been determined
to be ‘pesticides.’ Whole Foods Market has already voluntarily provided the
California Department of Pesticide Regulation with abundant information over a
four-year period to help the California Department of Pesticide Regulation with
its investigation. The company looks
forward to its opportunity to address this matter in front of a judge.” The Huffington Post article is available here.
Charlotte Fadipe, Assistant Director of Communications
for the CDPR, told the Huffington Post that any pesticide product sold in
stores must be registered with the states, so it “can be tested and approved
for safe use.” Fadipe also said that
this has been an ongoing issue and the CDPR “will be investigating Whole Foods
for a range of products they believe are unregistered and being sold in their
California locations.”
