Maharashtra Government Cracks Down on Illegal 'Comfort' Agarbatti

Mumbai, 2nd February 2026: The Home Insect Control Association (HICA), a non-profit industry body that promotes the safe use of household insecticides in India, has welcomed the action by the Maharashtra government on illegal mosquito repellent agarbatti ‘Comfort’. Comfort mosquito repellent is sold across Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, manufactured by M/s Dhoop Chhav Company. Samples collected from the open market confirmed that the product was available for purchase by unsuspecting consumers, and lab tests by the Maharashtra Agriculture Department detected the presence of Dimefluthrin, an illegal and unapproved chemical, in Comfort. ‘Comfort’ incense sticks are reportedly sold across Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik, and the rest of Maharashtra.

During a raid conducted in Mumbai, officials discovered several boxes of ‘Comfort’ incense sticks containing Dimefluthrin. The company, Dhoop Chhav Company, lacked both a license and CIBRC approval, making the production and sale illegal under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971.

Several illegal agarbattis are being sold under the false claim of being herbal, despite containing illegal and non-government-approved chemicals, with products marketed under names such as Comfort, Sleepwell, and Relax among those identified. This has led to an increase in enforcement action across India against illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks containing unapproved insecticides, reflecting growing regulatory vigilance and public health concerns.

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 CIBRC-approved mosquito repellents carry a registration number (starting with CIR – Central Insecticide Registration number) clearly mentioned on the product pack, helping consumers verify authenticity and choose safe products.

Since chemicals like Dimefluthrin and Meperfluthrin have not been approved by CIBRC, their use in mosquito repellent incense sticks is an illegal act. Further, any government-approved mosquito repellent typically undergoes a rigorous testing process prior to any approval by CIBRC.

Commenting on the development, Jayant Deshpande, Honorary Secretary, Home Insect Control Association (HICA), said, “We strongly appreciate the Maharashtra government for its decisive and timely action against illegal mosquito repellent agarbattis like Comfort. The misuse of illegal and unapproved chemicals like Dimefluthrin in incense repellent formats is extremely concerning and poses potential risks to public health. Such products are deliberately sold without regulatory approvals and mislead consumers into believing they are safe. This enforcement is in the interest of people who unknowingly buy spurious mosquito agarbattis. The government action sends a clear message that illegal manufacturers and those enabling their distribution will not be tolerated. We urge sustained action across states and advise consumers to purchase only mosquito repellents that carry a valid CIBRC registration number.”

In November last year, enforcement authorities in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, confiscated ₹69 lakh worth of illegal mosquito repellent agarbatti sold under the brand name ‘Sleepwell’, which were found to contain Meperfluthrin – an insecticide not approved by the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC).

HICA 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.