Hasbro to Pay EPA Penalty on Pesticide Claim

Hasbro Inc. will pay a $120,000 penalty and revoke advertising claiming that toys treated with a certain antibacterial pesticide protect children, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. Overall, the agreement with the EPA is expected to cost Hasbro “well in excess of a million dollars,” the agency said. Pawtucket, R.I.-based Hasbro had been marketing nine new Playskool toys treated with the antibacterial pesticide Microban as inhibiting the growth of a broad range of bacteria, including e.coli and strep infections. The pesticide is registered by the EPA as inhibiting bacterial growth in plastic but hasn’t been approved for public health claims. Hasbro executives weren’t available for comment. Within 90 days, Hasbro will relabel and repackage products treated with Microban that claim health benefits and take out national ads. Hasbro stock fell 25 cents to close at $25.125 on the American Stock Exchange.