A public health alert has been issued in India over the sale and distribution of two unauthorised cosmetic products that contain high levels of heavy metals and are marked “Made in Pakistan.” According to NDTV, the Union Health Ministry levelled serious accusations against Pakistan regarding the illicit trafficking of these creams into India on a substantial scale for a long time.
These fairness creams have been associated with kidney complications across numerous regions of India, including Nagpur. The truth emerged following complaints from eighteen women regarding stomach and kidney ailments, during which a discernible pattern was identified by the doctors related to the utilisation of these particular creams. The media house unveiled that the creams are laden with mercury.
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🇵🇰 Made-in-Pakistan fairness creams smuggled across the border trigger serious health scare in Nagpur, Union Health Ministry red-flags.
Newsbreak by our new Health Editor @SnehaMordani: pic.twitter.com/97Zfe9Oc6x
On 8th September (Tuesday), the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) warned against “Goree Beauty Cream” and “Chandni Whitening Cream” after testing and analysis by the drug regulator revealed that these items were not approved.
They were discovered to be unlicensed and had not received the necessary registration certificate for import from the appropriate authority. According to the CDSCO, the products have high amounts of heavy metals above the allowed limits, which could have harmful consequences on the health of the customers, including toxic effects.
“Public Health alert against the use of unauthorised cosmetic products- regarding cosmetic products used by consumers must be safe for the public. Their manufacturing and import are regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. Standards for cosmetic products are published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). To manufacture cosmetics for sale and distribution, a license must be obtained from the State Licensing Authority. For the import of cosmetics, the products must be registered with the Central Licensing Authority in accordance with the prescribed rules,” the official notice read.
Customers are warned not to buy these “Made in Pakistan” products and not to apply them if they have already been acquired. Similar cosmetics marketed under the same names have also been discouraged from being used by the general population. People have been advised to purchase and use approved cosmetic items that include information about the producer, batch number, date of manufacturing and expiration, manufacturing license number, and registration number (in the case of imported cosmetics).
The statement added, “In case of violations observed in the label, report it to the respective State Drugs Controller (for the products manufactured in India) and the Drugs Controller General (India) (for the imported cosmetics products).” CDSCO has requested that its zone, sub-zone, and port offices, along with all State and Union Territory Drugs Controllers, make sure that no unapproved cosmetics are sold within their respective jurisdictions.
Furthermore, it declared, “All concerned establishments/individuals are also warned not to sell, distribute or advertise the aforementioned products. All Regulatory Enforcement Units are requested to ensure that such unauthorised cosmetic products are not sold in their jurisdiction.” Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), signed the notice.
Notably, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) also issued a public health alert in July to consumers regarding the use of three cosmetic products, including Pakistani-origin Goree Beauty Cream.
