NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – India’s drug regulator has issued a warning to consumers regarding two whitening creams manufactured in Pakistan after tests revealed high levels of heavy metals. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation identified Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream in a public health alert issued on September 8. Both products bear labels indicating they were produced in Pakistan, but the regulator clarified that neither has approval for import or sale in India. The authority emphasized that the excessive heavy metal content could lead to toxic effects and health hazards.
The regulator pointed out that the two cosmetics lack registration certificates from the appropriate authorities for import into India. Indian regulations mandate that imported cosmetics and their manufacturing facilities be registered before entering the market, governed by the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The Bureau of Indian Standards provides standards applicable to cosmetic products. The central alert did not specify which heavy metals were detected or their exact concentrations.
Consumers are advised against purchasing Goree Beauty Cream or Chandni Whitening Cream and to refrain from using them if already acquired. The warning extends to similar products with similar names that may lack proper authorization. Officials have instructed sellers, distributors, and advertisers not to market these items, and enforcement agencies have been directed to prevent the sale of unauthorized cosmetics within their jurisdictions. If labeling violations are observed, consumers can report imported products to the Drugs Controller General of India.
Consumers Should Verify Cosmetic Labels
The alert urges buyers to opt for authorized cosmetics that display essential regulatory and product information. Such labels should include manufacturer details, a manufacturing license number, batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates. Additionally, imported cosmetics must show the relevant registration number. These labeling standards help consumers and authorities identify products that are approved for sale in India. The guidance emphasizes the importance of product registration, proper labeling, and compliance, while warning consumers to avoid the two creams mentioned in the alert.
Official records from Maharashtra also contain findings related to Goree Beauty Cream. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration lists several Goree Beauty Cream samples among products classified as substandard. Its database indicates these samples failed mercury content tests and were misbranded. These state-level findings specifically concern tested samples of Goree Beauty Cream. In contrast, the national alert mentions excessive heavy metals in both products without specifying the particular metals or their concentrations for each.
Regulations Mandate Import Registration for Cosmetics
India’s legal framework requires manufacturers to obtain a license from the relevant State Licensing Authority to produce cosmetics for sale and distribution. Importers must also register with the Central Licensing Authority prior to bringing cosmetics into the country for sale, typically using Form COS-1 for application and receiving their registration in Form COS-2 once approved. These procedures apply to both imported cosmetics and their manufacturing facilities under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
The September 8 alert continues to prioritize consumer safety and regulatory adherence for the two specified products. It does not include batch numbers, importer or distributor details, or specific heavy metal concentration data. No cases of illness linked to either cream have been reported. Consumers are instructed to avoid these products and verify their authorization status before purchasing imported cosmetics. Authorities have also ordered businesses not to sell, distribute, or advertise Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream in India.