The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the sale and distribution of three cosmetic products after laboratory tests detected dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals, including mercury and lead. Officials said the products were being sold illegally and posed a serious health risk to consumers.
Among the banned products is a Pakistan-made fairness cream, which was found to contain high levels of mercury, a toxic substance that can cause severe health complications with prolonged use. The FDA also detected unsafe levels of lead in two other beauty products during routine testing.
The action follows an inspection and sampling drive carried out by the state regulator to ensure the safety and quality of cosmetic products available in the market. Officials said the products were not authorised for sale in Maharashtra and had entered the market through illegal channels.
According to the FDA, prolonged exposure to mercury through cosmetic products can damage the skin, kidneys and nervous system. Lead exposure, meanwhile, may affect the brain, liver and other vital organs, particularly in children and pregnant women. Health experts warn that repeated use of products containing these toxic metals can lead to long-term health problems.
The regulator has directed manufacturers, distributors and retailers to immediately stop selling the identified products and remove existing stocks from the market. Enforcement teams have also intensified inspections to identify shops and suppliers dealing in unauthorised cosmetics.
Consumers have been advised to avoid purchasing fairness creams and other beauty products from unverified sources or without proper labelling. Officials urged buyers to check whether products carry valid manufacturing details and regulatory approvals before use.
The FDA said it will continue market surveillance and testing to prevent the circulation of unsafe cosmetic products. Authorities have also appealed to the public to report suspicious or unlabelled beauty products being sold in local markets.
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