Gujarat Agriculture department acts against manufacturers of spurious mosquito repellent incense sticks

Ahmedabad: The Department of Agriculture, Gujarat has commenced legal action against pesticide-laced spurious mosquito repellent incense sticks and condemned its manufacturing and selling in the state. The Agriculture Department along with Home Insect Control Association (HICA) raided plants of 5 illegal incense sticks manufacturers located in Ahmedabad, Baroda and Rajkot. These companies manufacture unapproved and pesticide-laced mosquito repellent incense sticks like Purelax, Killer Citronella Agarbatti, DC Comfort, Care, Just Relax, Ashika’s Sleep Well, Good Sleep, Big Killer, Sleep Well, Original Relax, Balaji Relax, Godzilla, Param Power Agarbatti and Param Power

According to HICA statement, pesticide laced spurious incense sticks cause serious health hazards. Thus, it is a criminal offence to manufacture or sell them. HICA, a non-profit making industry body promoting safe use of household insecticides, lodged a complaint with the Department of Agriculture, an enforcing authority under Insecticide Act in the State of Gujarat, against mosquito repellent incense sticks manufactured by Naturoma Incense Pvt Ltd and Mahi/Krishna Perfumery Works located in Ahmedabad; DPB Products Pvt Ltd of Baroda and Devine Industries, Param Agarbatti Works based in Rajkot. The department directed its agricultural offices in these three cities to initiate action.

The Agriculture Department has also collected incense sticks samples for testing and will prosecute these manufacturers as per the results of the test.

Commenting on this issue, Jayant Deshpande, Secretary & Director, Home Insect Control Association (HICA), said, ‘Incense sticks are getting manufactured and sold with compounds made from various unapproved pesticide formulations which are not tested for toxicity. Thus, it turns out to be filled with harmful chemicals producing strong odour and smoke. Making or selling such incense sticks is a punishable offence. We aim to mark an end to the sale and manufacturing of illegal incense sticks by holding the manufacturers and sellers responsible in the court of law.’

HICA said misleading branded incense sticks are being sold across Gujarat under the names of Relax, Relief, Natural Relax, Killer, Magic 10 and several other similar names. Incense sticks laced with pesticides/ agro chemicals are being manufactured, stored and sold without proper insecticide license from the State Agricultural Department- Gujarat. As per The Central Insecticide Board, Faridabad, this is in breach of the Insecticides Act 1968/Rules thereunder.

“Increased usage of these illegal pesticide-laced mosquito repellent incense sticks can cause multiple health disorders such as genetic mutations, lung cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases, leukaemia, heart disease, skin irritation, and neurological problems. There has been a considerable increase in the number of children (in the age bracket of 5-12 years) suffering from multiple respiratory issues. HICA is working to safeguard the consumer interest by taking meaningful action to stop the sale of harmful incense sticks.”, added Deshpande.

DeshGujarat