NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – India’s drug regulatory authority has issued a caution to consumers regarding two whitening creams originating 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 public health advisory issued on September 8. Both products bear labels indicating they were manufactured in Pakistan. The authority clarified that neither product has obtained clearance for import or sale within India. It further warned that the detected heavy metal levels could pose toxic health risks and cause adverse effects.
The regulator highlighted that these cosmetics lack the necessary registration certificates from the competent Indian authorities for importation. As per Indian regulations, imported cosmetics and their manufacturing facilities must be registered before market entry. This process falls under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, enforced alongside the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Standards applicable to cosmetic products are published by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The public notice did not specify which heavy metals were identified or report their exact concentrations in the products.
Consumers are advised against purchasing Goree Beauty Cream or Chandni Whitening Cream and are encouraged not to use them if already acquired. The warning extends to similar products with similar names that might also lack proper licensing. Officials have instructed sellers, distributors, and advertisers to cease marketing these items immediately. Enforcement units have been directed to prevent unauthorized cosmetics from entering the market. Additionally, consumers who notice labeling irregularities are encouraged to report suspected imported products to the Drugs Controller General of India.
Consumers urged to verify cosmetic labels carefully
The advisory emphasizes the importance of purchasing only authorized cosmetic products that display essential regulatory and product information. Labels should clearly state manufacturer details, a manufacturing license number, batch information, and the manufacturing and expiry dates. For imported cosmetics, the registration number must also be visible. These labeling requirements enable consumers and authorities to verify whether a product is approved for sale in India. The regulator’s advice centers on proper registration, clear labeling, and compliance, urging the public to avoid the two creams mentioned in the alert.
Maharashtra’s official records also contain reports related to Goree Beauty Cream. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has listed several samples of Goree Beauty Cream as substandard, citing failures in mercury content limits and misbranding. These state-level findings specifically concern tested samples of Goree Beauty Cream. The national alert, however, mentions excessive heavy metals in both the products without specifying which metals are present in each cream individually.
India’s cosmetic import regulations mandate registration for safety
India’s regulatory framework requires cosmetic manufacturers to obtain a license from the relevant State Licensing Authority to produce and sell products within the country. Importers must secure registration from the Central Licensing Authority prior to bringing cosmetics into India for commercial distribution. Applicants seeking import registration must submit Form COS-1, and once approved, the license is issued as Form COS-2. These procedures, outlined under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, are mandatory for both imported products and their manufacturing sites.
The September 8 alert continues to focus on consumer safety and adherence to regulatory procedures for the two specified products. The notice does not include batch numbers, details of importers or distributors, or specific measurements of heavy metal content. It also does not link the products to any particular cases of illness. Consumers are urged to verify the authorization status before purchasing imported cosmetics and are instructed to avoid selling, distributing, or advertising Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream within India.