United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Prevention, Pesticides 738-F-92-015
And Toxic Substances June 1992
(7508W)
R.E.D. FACTS
Pesticide
Reregistration
Use Profile
Regulatory
History
Allium sativum
(Garlic)
All pesticides sold or used in the United States must be registered by
EPA, based on scientific studies showing that they can be used without
posing unreasonable risks to people or the environment. Because of
advances in scientific knowledge, the law requires that pesticides which
were first registered years ago be reregistered to ensure that they meet
today's more stringent standards.
In evaluating pesticides for reregistration, EPA obtains and reviews a
complete set of studies from pesticide producers, showing the human health
and environmental effects of each pesticide. The Agency imposes any
regulatory controls that are needed to effectively manage each pesticide's
risks. EPA then reregisters pesticides that can be used without posing
undue hazards to human health or the environment.
When a pesticide is eligible for reregistration, EPA announces this and
explains why in a Reregistration Eligibility Document, or RED. This fact
sheet summarizes the information in the RED for Allium sativum (garlic).
Allium sativum or garlic, formulated as a powder or a distilled extract
from garlic cloves, is an active ingredient in four registered pesticide
products; three of these products also contain the active ingredient capsaicin
(red pepper). The garlic pesticides are applied aerially or by ground
equipment, and are used to repel birds and/or insects and thus prevent them
from damaging seeds and seedlings of vegetable plants, fruit trees, grain
crops, ornamental plants and shrubbery.
EPA registered the first two pesticide products containing garlic as an
active ingredient in 1983 and 1985. Both products also contain red pepper,
and are used to repel birds. A third garlic and red pepper product, used to
repel insects, was registered in 1988. The fourth product, which contains
garlic as a single active ingredient, was registered in February 1991, also to
control insects.
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EPA previously classified garlic as a conventional chemical pesticide.
However, the Agency now is reclassifying garlic as a biochemical pesticide
since it is a naturally-occurring substance and has a non-toxic mode of
action.
Human Health Although EPA has developed a set of data requirements for
Accpccmpnt reregistration, the Agency believes there is a category of pesticides for
which a greatly reduced set of data requirements are appropriate. Such
pesticides may be exempt from the usual generic data requirements for
toxicology, residue chemistry, human exposure, ecological effects and
environmental fate, without compromising human health or environmental
safety. However, some data requirements (such as basic product identity
and product chemistry data and acute toxicology studies) usually are
essential, and generally will not be waived.
Garlic is in this category of pesticides, and EPA is waiving most of
the generic data requirements for its reregistration. The bulb of a plant, its
primary use in the United States is non-pesticidal; it is used widely to flavor
and season foods. Garlic is "generally recognized as safe," or GRAS, as a
natural seasoning or flavoring (see 21 CFR 182.10, 182.20 and 184.1317).
Used as a pesticide, garlic has a non-toxic mode of action for repelling
target birds and insects. Garlic is presumed to be non-persistent since it is
material known to rapidly degrade in the environment. EPA has received
no reports of adverse effects resulting from its use. The Agency believes
that no significant adverse effects to humans or the environment are
associated with the use of garlic as a pesticide.
Additional Data EPA is not requiring the submission of additional generic data for the
Required active ingredient garlic. However, EPA is requiring the submission of
product specific data (chemistry, acute toxicity and efficacy). These are
being required now, through the RED.
Product Labeling
Changes Required
Regulatory
Conclusion
labels of the four registered garlic pesticide products must comply
's current pesticide labeling requirements. No other labeling
changes are being required at this time.
The registered bird and insect repellent uses of garlic are not likely to
cause unreasonable adverse effects in people or the environment, and are
eligible for reregistration.
The registered product that contains garlic as its only active ingredient
will be reregistered once product-specific data and amended labeling are
received and accepted by EPA.
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The other three registered products that contain both garlic and red
pepper as active ingredients will be reregistered after product specific data
and labeling requested in this RED are received and accepted by EPA and
after a RED is issued for red pepper.
For More EPA is requesting public comments on the Reregistration Eligibility
Information Document (RED) for garlic during a 60-day time period, as announced in a
Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register. To obtain a copy
of the RED or to submit written comments, please contact the Public
Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division
(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), US EPA, Washington, DC
20460, telephone 703-305-5805.
In the future, the garlic RED will be available from the National
Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield,
VA 22161, telephone 703-487-4650.
For more information about garlic or about EPA's pesticide
reregistration program, please contact the Special Review and Reregistration
Division (7508W), OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone 703-
308-8000. For information about reregistration of individual garlic
products, please contact the Registration Division, PM Team 14 (7505C),
OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone 703-305-6600.
For information about the health effects of pesticides, or for assistance
in recognizing and managing pesticide poisoning symptoms, please contact
the National Pesticides Telecommunications Network (NPTN). Call toll-
free 1-800-858-7378, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or Fax your
inquiry to 806-743-3094.
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