The Home Insect Control Association (HICA) has welcomed government action against the illegal mosquito repellent agarbatti brand ‘Comfort’, which was found to contain unapproved and hazardous chemicals.

The enforcement reflects growing regulatory vigilance and public health concerns over the sale of spurious household insect control products.

HICA, a non-profit industry body that promotes the safe use of household insecticides in India, stated that Comfort mosquito repellent agarbattis are sold across Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi and are manufactured by M/s Dhoop Chhav Company.

Samples collected from the open market confirmed that the product was available for sale to unsuspecting consumers, and laboratory tests conducted by the Maharashtra Agriculture Department detected the presence of Dimefluthrin, an illegal and unapproved chemical.

‘Comfort’ incense sticks are reportedly sold in major cities across Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Coimbatore, and Salem.

During a raid conducted in Mumbai, officials discovered several boxes of Comfort incense sticks containing Dimefluthrin. Investigations revealed that the manufacturer, Dhoop Chhav Company, did not possess a valid licence or approval from the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC), rendering the production and sale illegal under the Insecticides Act, 1968, and the Insecticides Rules, 1971.

According to HICA, several mosquito repellent agarbattis are being illegally sold under the false claim of being herbal, despite containing banned and non-government-approved chemicals.

Products marketed under names such as Comfort, Sleepwell, and Relax have been identified in this category. This has resulted in increased enforcement action across India against illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks containing unapproved insecticides.

The Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is the statutory authority responsible for approving and registering chemicals for use in mosquito repellents in India before they can be manufactured, imported, or sold.

Government-approved mosquito repellents carry a CIBRC registration number, beginning with “CIR”, clearly mentioned on the product packaging, enabling consumers to verify authenticity and safety.

Since chemicals such as Dimefluthrin and Meperfluthrin have not been approved by CIBRC, their use in mosquito repellent incense sticks is illegal. Any government-approved mosquito repellent undergoes a rigorous scientific testing process prior to approval.

Commenting on the development, Jayant Deshpande, Honorary Secretary of the Home Insect Control Association, said that the organisation strongly appreciates the government’s decisive and timely action against illegal mosquito repellent agarbattis such as Comfort.

He noted that the misuse of unapproved chemicals like Dimefluthrin in incense formats is extremely concerning and poses potential risks to public health, particularly in Tamil Nadu. He added that such products deliberately bypass regulatory approvals and mislead consumers into believing they are safe, and that the enforcement action sends a clear message that illegal manufacturers and distributors will not be tolerated.

He urged sustained action across states and advised consumers to purchase only mosquito repellents carrying a valid CIBRC registration number.

In November last year, enforcement authorities in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, confiscated illegal mosquito repellent agarbattis worth ₹69 lakh sold under the brand name ‘Sleepwell’, which were found to contain Meperfluthrin, another insecticide not approved by CIBRC.

HICA stated that it will continue to work closely with regulators and enforcement agencies to support action against illegal products and to educate consumers on identifying safe and compliant household insect control solutions.