Fit Organic has launched a USDA-certified organic mosquito repellant – and the proprietary formula, which is certified safe for pregnant women and children, has been scientifically proven to be as effective as DEET for up to three hours with zero bites.

It is now available in the U.S., online at Fitorganic.com and Amazon.com – and the company expects to ship to retailers soon. It will be available in Brazil later this summer.

The formula was tested by scientists in São Paulo, Brazil, specifically against Aedes Aegypti mosquitos—the #1 carrier of the deadly Zika virus. Brazil has been especially hard hit by the Zika virus outbreak. In addition to its effectiveness against this type of mosquito, research has shown that the formula also works to repel mosquitos carrying the West Nile virus and malaria.

The repellant, shown above, is in a plastic bottle with a spray pump, decorated with a light blue label and the brand’s yellow and navy blue logo.

About the Brand

Fit Organic was originally called “Fit” and launched by Procter & Gamble. In 2006, it was acquired by HealthPro Brands and the product line was reformulated to be USDA-certified organic – and renamed Fit Organic. HealthPro brands is led by former Procter & Gamble executive Todd Wichmann.

About the Formula

It took a team five years to develop the formula for Fit Organic Mosquito Repellent Spray. It is comprised of two key ingredients: organic lemongrass grown in Nepal and organic oleic acid derived from sunflowers in the United Kingdom.

Todd Wichmann, president, CEO & founder of HealthPro Brands, explains: “Oleic acid is a natural secretion that is emitted from dying insects; effectively, a ‘death scent. Once the scent is detected, insects avoid the area because they believe something will harm them.”

Fit Organic first utilized organic oleic acid as part of its produce wash product. Consumers immediately noticed the product was repelling insects as well, which led Wichmann to investigate developing a new organically certified mosquito repellent formula.

Wichmann added, “This is the right product at a critical time. Nothing is more important than protecting mothers and their children from the horrible Zika virus,” he said. “We’re proud to offer concerned mothers an organic option instead of something synthetic and dangerous like DEET.”