This Notice, issued in 1980, required that registrants of pesticide products discontinue recommendations for salt water emesis on pesticide labels. Registrants who adopt EPA-recommended language are not required to submit an application for amended registration. One year was allowed to make the revision, after which products will be deemed misbranded under the Act. 

In 1976, EPA established a policy regarding the use of label practical treatment statements recommending salt water as an emetic agent for inducing vomiting. Salt solutions were no longer regarded by the medical community as efficacious in inducing vomiting, and in some cases, presented hazards of salt poisoning, especially in children.

The Agency adopted a policy that salt water recommendations would no longer be acceptable on pesticide labels, and recommended instead the following means of inducing vomiting:

"If swallowed - drink 1 or 2 glasses of water and induce vomiting by touching back of throat with finger. Do not induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention." 

• PRN 80-2: Label Improvement Program: Deletion of salt water emesis statements (PDF)(3 pp, 22 K)