Two Pakistani beauty creams banned in India over high level of mercury

India has issued a nationwide warning against two Pakistani-made cosmetic products, Gori Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream, declaring them illegal and potentially hazardous due to excessive levels of heavy metals.

The warning was issued by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on the advice of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). 

According to Indian regulators, laboratory testing found mercury levels above the permitted limit in the products, posing potential health risks, including damage to the kidneys. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) said the products do not have the required registration certificates for legal sale in India and advised consumers not to purchase or use them.

Earlier in July, Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration also flagged several Pakistani-made cosmetic products for excessive mercury levels, reportedly finding concentrations up to 10 times above the permitted limit.

Authorities have urged consumers to use only legally approved cosmetic products carrying required details such as manufacturer information, batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates, and registration details for imported products.