Over the course of 2007, the EPA carried out a series of spot checks on pesticides sold in supermarkets, convenience stores and drugstores. According to a report compiled after the inspection, 487 products out of 33,717, or 1.44 percent, were discovered to be unfit for sale.

The products, used to kill cockroaches and ants, were unfit mostly because they had passed their expiry dates or because they lacked sufficient information on the packaging, the EPA said.

If the stores caught selling the unfit pesticides do not make improvements, they will risk fines of between NT$30,000 (US$972) - NT$150,000 (US$4860), according to the EPA.

The EPA also warned the public against buying no-brand pesticide on the Internet.