Pak beauty cream seized in Maharashtra found with mercury 48,000 times over limit
Maharashtra authorities have taken action by seizing beauty creams in Nanded that contained alarmingly high levels of mercury, valued at Rs 40 lakh. Laboratory analysis revealed that these creams posed severe health risks due to toxic contents beyond acceptable limits. Officials have issued a public alert against usage, and a legal case under drug safety regulations has been filed.
Nearly Rs 40 lakh worth of beauty creams were seized in Maharashtra's Nanded, with one product containing mercury levels more than 48,000 times higher than the allowed limit, according to a government lab report. This discovery follows earlier alerts from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) regarding potentially hazardous skin-lightening creams from Pakistan.
The latest seizure occurred on July 9 during a police raid at Afrah Collection, a shop also known as Afrah Tours and Travels, in the Makkah Galli area. The seized stock was valued at approximately Rs 39.69 lakh. Testing revealed two products - PARLEY 24K Gold Gleam Beauty Cream and GOREE Beauty Cream with Lycopene - both contained dangerously high mercury concentrations.
The raid was conducted by a team from Itwara police station alongside FDA officials, who identified the shop owner as Mohammad Ziauddin Mohammad Wajid. The FDA had previously ordered the immediate halt to sales and distribution of three Pakistani-origin whitening creams in July due to excessive mercury and lead levels. This latest incident underscores the health risks posed by excessive mercury and other toxic heavy metals in cosmetics, which can lead to skin disorders, kidney damage, and neurological complications.
Authorities have warned against the sale and use of counterfeit, unlicensed, or suspicious imported products and urged the public to report such incidents.
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