The Jungle Formula range of insect repellents no longer contains diethyltoluamide (DEET), with the exception of the extra strength liquid. The DEET-containing range was discontinued last year and replacement stock, containing a different repellent, has been phased in.
Mr Jorge Goded (marketing development manager, Chefaro) told The Journal on May 22 that the company was still recommending the DEET-containing formulation of Jungle Formula to travellers visiting areas where there was a risk of malaria or other insect-transmitted disease. However, for people visiting other areas, such as the Mediterranean (a significant proportion of purchasers of Jungle Formula), there was no need for DEET.
Mr Goded explained that the formulation change was made because "throughout the world and now within the European Union, legislation has become more and more restrictive on DEET". In some European countries, such as Denmark, DEET was banned, and it was subject to restrictions in others, such as in Holland where a maximum allowed concentration was imposed. Reports of toxicity associated with DEET, particularly skin reactions, were also of concern, he said. The active ingredient of the new formulation is IR3535 (ethyl butylacetylaminoproprionate or 3-ethyl aminoproprionate). Mr Goded said that this compound was "proven to be as effective as DEET".
Mr Nigel Hill (medical entomologist, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) told The Journal on May 23 that IR3535 was not as effective as DEET volume for volume, nor did its effect last as long. However, it was still a "pretty good" product. Mr Hill commented that DEET was "by far the best" and that the number of reported side effects of DEET over the past three decades was actually very small.
The British National Formulary (number 39, p299) says that DEET is "safe and effective when applied to the skin". According to Martindale, occasional hypersensitivity to DEET has been reported (32nd edition, p1405). It says: "Diethyltoluamide should not be applied near the eyes, to mucous membranes, to broken skin, or to areas of skin flexion as irritation or blistering may occur. Systemic toxicity has been reported following application of large topical doses, particularly in children."
Other products containing DEET remain on the market.