NovaSource, a business unit of Tessenderlo Kerley Inc. (TKI), is voluntarily recalling all of its turf fungicide formulation product marketed under the brand names of ArmorTech ALT 70 by United Turf Alliance, LLC (UTA) and Viceroy 70DF by United Phosphorus Inc. (UPI).
On June 17, TKI recalled 2013 production batches of the turf fungicide formulation with batch codes that begin with the number 6 (e.g., 6101701). The manufacturer found evidence of contamination from the herbicide sulfometuron methyl in the turf fungicide formulation following laboratory investigation and testing.
The updated recall now includes all products of any batch number of either brand in the marketplace.
"We have reason to believe that the problem goes beyond the 6-series production batches, and out of an abundance of caution are recalling all turf product in the market," said David Cassidy, TKI group vice president. "We are working diligently with a team of experts to provide on-site turf management suggestions for mitigating turf injury, and internally we are examining all production practices to identify and resolve the problem."
As with the original recall, TKI asks that ALT 70 and Viceroy 70DF users take the following steps immediately: do not use or apply ALT 70 or Viceroy 70DF; return product to the point of sale or to the product distributors for full credit, including reimbursement of costs associated with the return.
ALT 70 and Viceroy are post-patent systemic fungicides manufactured by NovaSource TKI. Each contains the active ingredient O-ethyl phosphonate (aluminum tris) and is labeled for control of anthracnose, Pythium and Phytophthora. Sales of both products were stopped June 5 after reports of damaged turf began to pop up on multiple golf courses throughout the Northeast.
For more information about the recall and tips on improving turfgrass recovery, visit alt70info.com.