Srinagar, Feb. 8 -- On Wednesday, the Agriculture Department's Quality Control Laboratory declared Indofil M-45, a commonly used pesticide for apple orchards, as misbranded. This pesticide, which contains Mancozeb 75% WP as its active ingredient, was produced by Indofil Industries Limited on December 13, 2024, and has an expiry date of December 12, 2026.

A day later, the department identified another pesticide, CAPTAF, which contains 50% WP Captan, as misbranded. Manufactured by Rallis India Ltd. on November 4, 2024, it has an expiry date of November 3, 2026, and the product was also ordered for seizure.

Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Feroz Ahmad Shapoo instructed field officers to stop selling and confiscate all stocks of misbrande...