Myths Vs Facts: What Every Consumer Should Know Before Buying Mosquito Agarbattis

* By Jayant Deshpande, Secretary and Director, Home Insect Control Association (HICA)

Recent enforcement drives across several states have brought the issue of illegal mosquito agarbattis into sharp focus. Authorities have conducted raids, seized unregistered products and acted against manufacturers and distributors found violating regulatory requirements. These developments highlight an important reality: not every mosquito agarbatti available in the market is legally registered or compliant with our legal framework.

With mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya on the rise during the monsoon, mosquito agarbattis remain a popular choice because they are affordable, easily available and familiar to consumers. However, consumers also need to know how to identify a legally registered mosquito agarbatti and avoid illegal products before making a purchase. Here are some of the most common myths that can lead to uninformed buying decisions.

Myth 1: Every mosquito agarbatti available in the market has undergone the same regulatory scrutiny.

Fact: Not every mosquito agarbatti sold openly in the market is legally manufactured as per established legal framework in the Country. Always check for a valid CIR (Central Insecticides Registration) number issued by the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC). It is typically printed on the back or bottom of the pack in the format CIR-XXXXX/XXXX (e.g., CIR-67468/2025) and indicates that the product has undergone the prescribed regulatory evaluation. If the pack does not carry a valid CIR number, avoid purchasing it as same is not made with approved chemicals or ingredient.

Myth 2: Green packaging and claims such as "Herbal," "Natural," or "Eco-friendly" mean assurance on mosquito agarbatti is safe and compliant.

Fact: Green packaging and herbal claims are not proof of regulatory approval. Consumers should look beyond the front of the pack and verify that the product carries a valid CIR/CIBRC Registration Number, along with mandatory information such as the active ingredient, manufacturer details, expiry date and usage instructions before making a purchase.

Myth 3: If a mosquito agarbatti is sold at my neighbourhood grocery or medical store, it must be legal and safe.

Fact: Not necessarily. Products marketed under brands such as Comfort, Sleep Well, 10 Ka Dum, Dengue Killer, Relax, Dinosaur, Happy Nights, Sweet Nights and Freedom have faced regulatory action in different states for not using the proper ingredient or approved chemicals. Some of these products may still be quietly sold in the market through older inventory or unauthorised distribution channels.

Myth 4: It's just a mosquito agarbatti. It can't pose any serious health risk.

Fact: Illegal mosquito agarbattis may pose serious health risks. According to the recent HICA survey, 70% of doctors consider illegal mosquito agarbattis a major respiratory risk, while 90% reported seeing recurring breathing-related problems among children linked to exposure to such products.

Consumer safety begins with informed choices. Just as people routinely check expiry dates on food and medicines, they should also verify the CIR number and mandatory label information before purchasing a mosquito agarbatti. As Indian consumers continue its fight against mosquito-borne diseases, choosing the right mosquito control product is just as important as using it consistently.