Valley Company Ordered to Pay $210K for Making Unsubstantiated Claims

A Sherman Oaks company was ordered to pay about $210,000 in civil penalties for violating federal law by making unsubstantiated claims about their shoe inserts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

The instruction sheet and advertising material for WalkFit Platinum Orthotics contained claims the shoe inserts were treated with “nanosilver” that had antibacterial and antifungal properties and killed germs, according to the EPA.

Products that claim to kill or repel bacteria, fungi, or germs are considered pesticides and must be registered with the EPA before their sale or distribution, as required under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

During an investigation that began in 2010, EPA, along with the state Department of Pesticide Regulation, found that the WalkFit companies sold numerous orthotics with the claims to various retailers and customers throughout the nation from July 2009 to August 2012.

Orthotics are shoe inserts that claim to eliminate posture problems, strengthen heels and ankles, and reduce foot and leg pain.

The companies have since removed the terms “antibacterial,” “antifungal” and “germ-killing” from their instruction sheets, advertising material, and website, the EPA said.

Under federal law, companies must register pesticide products with EPA before making claims about their ability to control germs or pathogens, and prior to distribution or sale.

The agency will not register a pesticide until it has been tested to show that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to the label directions.

--City News Service

PHOTO Patch file photo.