Illegal and unregistered products raise safety concerns during the monsoon; consumers urged to verify registration and label details
– By Jayant Deshpande, Secretary and Director, Home Insect Control Association (HICA)
The recent enforcement drives against illegal mosquito agarbattis across several states have brought renewed attention to the safety and regulatory compliance of mosquito-control products available in the market.
Authorities have conducted raids, seized unregistered products and initiated action against manufacturers and distributors found violating regulatory requirements. The developments highlight an important concern for consumers: not every mosquito agarbatti sold in the market may have been manufactured and marketed in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework.
With monsoon conditions contributing to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya, mosquito agarbattis continue to be widely used because they are affordable, easily available and familiar to households.
However, consumers need to exercise caution while purchasing these products. Understanding the difference between legitimate claims and regulatory compliance can help consumers make more informed choices.
Myth 1: Every mosquito agarbatti sold in the market has undergone the same regulatory scrutiny
Fact: Consumers should not assume that every mosquito agarbatti available in the market has undergone the required regulatory process.
One of the key details consumers should look for is a valid CIR (Central Insecticides Registration) number issued by the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC).
The registration number is generally printed on the back or bottom of the package and may appear in a format such as CIR-XXXXX/XXXX. Consumers should verify the registration details and other mandatory information before purchasing the product.
Products without the required registration details should be avoided, particularly where the label does not provide clear information about the active ingredient, manufacturer or directions for use.
Myth 2: ‘Herbal’, ‘Natural’ or ‘Eco-friendly’ automatically means the product is safe and compliant
Fact: Packaging and marketing claims alone cannot establish whether a mosquito agarbatti has the required regulatory approval.
A product may carry terms such as “Herbal”, “Natural” or “Eco-friendly”, but consumers should look beyond such claims. The package should carry the relevant registration details, active ingredient information, manufacturer details, expiry date and instructions for safe use.
The emphasis, therefore, should be on regulatory compliance and complete labelling rather than packaging claims.
Myth 3: If a mosquito agarbatti is available at a local shop, it must be legal and safe
Fact: Availability through a neighbourhood grocery or medical store does not necessarily establish that a product meets all regulatory requirements.
According to HICA, products marketed under names including Comfort, Sleep Well, 10 Ka Dum, Dengue Killer, Relax, Dinosaur, Happy Nights, Sweet Nights and Freedom have faced regulatory action in different states over concerns relating to ingredients or regulatory compliance.
HICA has also raised concerns that some such products could continue to enter the market through older stock or unauthorised distribution channels.
Consumers should therefore check the product label and registration details rather than relying solely on the outlet from which the product is purchased.
Myth 4: Mosquito agarbattis are harmless because they are only household products
Fact: HICA says that the use of illegal or non-compliant mosquito agarbattis can raise health concerns, particularly with prolonged exposure.
According to a recent HICA survey cited by the association, 70% of doctors surveyed considered illegal mosquito agarbattis a major respiratory risk, while 90% reported encountering recurring breathing-related problems among children associated with exposure to such products.
These findings underline the importance of using mosquito-control products that comply with applicable regulatory requirements and following the instructions provided on the label.
Consumers need to make informed choices
Consumer awareness is an important part of product safety. Just as people routinely check expiry dates and labels while purchasing food and medicines, similar attention should be paid to mosquito-control products.
Checking the CIR/CIB&RC registration details, active ingredient, manufacturer information, expiry date and usage instructions can help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.
As families take precautions against mosquito-borne diseases during the monsoon, choosing a properly registered and compliant mosquito-control product is an important part of responsible household protection.
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