NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – India has issued a nationwide public health advisory concerning two Pakistan-origin skin whitening products after laboratory tests revealed high levels of toxic heavy metals. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation issued an alert on September 8, identifying Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream. The authority stated that both items lack the necessary permissions for import and retail within India. It further warned that the levels of heavy metals found could pose health risks. Consumers are advised to cease purchasing or using these cosmetics immediately.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation clarified that the two products do not possess valid registration certificates from the appropriate Indian agency. India mandates that imported cosmetics and their manufacturing facilities undergo registration before they can be legally marketed. These requirements are outlined in the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, which supplement the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The warning did not specify which heavy metals were identified in each cream, nor did it disclose laboratory concentration levels, batch numbers tested, or importer details.
Authorities have instructed vendors, distributors, and advertisers not to promote Goree Beauty Cream or Chandni Whitening Cream within India. Enforcement agencies have been directed to act against illegal sales in their jurisdictions. Consumers are also urged to carefully verify product labels and registration data prior to purchase. Labels should display essential manufacturing and product information as mandated by Indian regulations. Consumers are also encouraged to report any suspected violations related to imported cosmetics to the proper regulatory bodies.
Regulatory emphasis on import compliance and proper labeling
The Indian cosmetics regulatory framework requires importers to obtain clearance from the Central Licensing Authority before bringing foreign products into the country. To do so, applicants must submit Form COS-1 under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. Approved certificates are issued through Form COS-2. These rules also mandate the inclusion of detailed information that enables regulators to trace products along the supply chain, covering both imported cosmetics and the overseas manufacturing sites. The recent warning places the two whitening creams within this comprehensive compliance system.
In Maharashtra, official records separately list tested samples of Goree Beauty Cream as failing quality standards, citing mercury content issues and misbranding. These findings relate solely to the specific samples tested by state authorities and do not confirm that every Goree product contains mercury at similar levels. The national alert, however, uses broader language, citing excessive heavy metals in both creams without specifying individual metals involved.
Public advised to steer clear of the two specific creams
The official notice in India does not link either Goree Beauty Cream or Chandni Whitening Cream to confirmed health incidents. Nor does it identify particular distributors, retailers, or sales channels involved in their distribution. The focus remains on the regulatory status, laboratory findings, and consumer safety measures. Authorities have instructed the public to refrain from purchasing or using these products, and businesses have been directed not to sell, distribute, or advertise them. These directives are enforced through state, union territory, and central authorities across India.
The alert intensifies scrutiny on imported skin whitening products that lack proper Indian approvals. Consumers are advised to be vigilant: always verify product labels and registration information before buying. They should specifically avoid the two creams named in the September 8 notice, which have been linked to excessive heavy metal content and missing import authorization. The regulatory body continues to classify Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream as unauthorized cosmetics on the Indian market.