DLCA Moves to Ban Sale of Fake Antibacterial Spray Purporting to be Defense Against Coronavirus

  • Robert Moore
  • April 02, 2020
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The "Done" Branded fake product. DLCA has ordered all retail outlets to cease sales thereof immediately. By. DLCA

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs has issued a warning to residents of the territory regarding a fake product that contains butane fuel but is being labeled as a "Done" branded product aimed at protecting residents from the coronavirus. 

D.L.C.A. said it received a tip on Wednesday from a consumer in the District of St. Croix regarding an antibacterial spray that did not appear legitimate.  Specifically, the consumer purchased an aerosol can of what appeared to be a “Done” branded antibacterial spray. When the consumer got home, his daughter informed him about fake products on the market and she proceeded to peel the label off the can.  "Underneath the label, the consumer found a  permanently affixed label indicating the can’s contents to be butane fuel and not antibacterial spray," D.L.C.A. said.

“It is unfortunate that a company will attempt to sell an alleged adulterated high demand item during the COVID-19 pandemic and current State of Emergency in the Territory,” said DLCA Commissioner Richard Evangelista.

In response to the complaint, DLCA immediately reassigned Consumer Affairs Director, Mr. Miguel Tricoche, to investigate the complaint.  Tricoche visited the store where the complainant purchased the alleged antibacterial spray to verify the complaint.  During the investigation, DLCA learned the name of the manufacturer, the name of the local distributor and the name of the local stores who received the product. Simultaneously, DLCA contacted the Department of Labor, Virgin Islands Division of Occupational Safety & Health Director, Dean Andrews, to determine whether or not a material safety data sheet exists for the product.  

To ensure the safety of the community, DLCA visited each store with the product and directed retailers to discontinue sale of the product and to remove it from the sales floor until further notice.  

DLCA said to the best of its knowledge, the product has only been sold in the District of St. Croix thus far.  However, the department is asking consumers in the District of St. Thomas and St. John to contact the its hotline at (340) 771-SCAM [7226] or via email at [email protected] if they see the product. 

"DLCA shall continue to investigate the “Done” branded antibacterial spray and provide the community with an update when it concludes its investigation.  In the interim, “DLCA encourages the community to continue to report consumer related actions and price gouging to DLCA.  We are unable to be at all places at all times, so kindly assist us and report what you see or hear,”  Mr. Evangelista said.

For consumer related issues you may email DLCA at [email protected] or call the department's hotlines on St. Croix 340.727.SCAM(7226) or St.Thomas/St. John at 340.771.SCAM(7226). You may file a consumer complaint at www.dlca.vi.gov.

 

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