NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – India’s drug regulator has issued a public health warning regarding two whitening creams imported from Pakistan after testing revealed high levels of heavy metals. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation identified Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream in a notice issued on September 8, emphasizing that both products are labeled as manufactured in Pakistan. The authority clarified that neither item holds the necessary authorization for import or sale within India. The heavy metals detected may pose toxic risks and health hazards, the regulator warned.
The regulatory body explained that these cosmetics lack registration certificates from the relevant authorities required for importation into India. According to Indian regulations, imported cosmetics and their manufacturing facilities must be registered before entering the domestic market. This process is governed by the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, with standards set forth by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The central alert did not specify which heavy metals were present or their concentrations in the products.
Consumers are advised against purchasing Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream, and to cease use if they already own these items. The warning extends to similar cosmetic products with comparable names that might lack proper authorization. Authorities have instructed sellers, distributors, and advertisers to refrain from marketing these products. Enforcement units have been directed to prevent the sale of unauthorized cosmetics within their jurisdictions. Any consumer who encounters labeling violations can report such products to the Drugs Controller General of India.
Consumers should scrutinize cosmetic labels carefully
The official alert emphasizes the importance of verifying that cosmetics carry authorized labels with key information such as manufacturer details, manufacturing license number, batch code, and manufacturing and expiry dates. Imported cosmetics should also display the relevant registration number. These labeling requirements enable consumers and authorities to confirm whether products are authorized for sale in India. The guidance highlights the necessity of proper registration, accurate labeling, and compliance, urging the public to avoid the two creams specifically mentioned in the warning.
Additional findings from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration include multiple Goree Beauty Cream samples categorized as substandard. Their records indicate these samples failed tests for mercury content and were found to be misbranded. These state-level results pertain solely to tested Goree Beauty Cream samples. Meanwhile, the national alert mentions excessive heavy metals in both creams but does not specify which metals or their exact levels for each product.
India’s regulations mandate registration for cosmetic imports
Under Indian law, manufacturers must obtain a license from the relevant State Licensing Authority to produce and sell cosmetics domestically. Importers are required to register their products with the Central Licensing Authority before bringing cosmetics into India. When applying for an import registration certificate, applicants must use Form COS-1, and once approved, the license is issued in Form COS-2. These procedures are part of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, which work alongside the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, to regulate cosmetic imports and manufacturing.
The September 8 alert remains focused on consumer safety and regulatory adherence concerning the two specific products. It does not include details such as batch numbers, importer or distributor names, or specific heavy metal concentrations. No individual cases of illness related to these creams have been reported. Consumers are advised to verify authorization status before purchasing imported cosmetics and to avoid the two creams named in the alert. Authorities have also instructed vendors not to sell, distribute, or advertise Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream within India.