India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a public health alert regarding two Pakistan-made cosmetic products, Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream. Tests conducted by the regulator found that both creams contain excessive levels of heavy metals, posing significant health risks to consumers.
The CDSCO's alert, issued on September 8, advises consumers against purchasing or using these products. The regulator clarified that these creams are unauthorized, lacking the necessary registration certificate required for their legal import and sale within India. This action has also brought into question the efficacy of existing regulations governing imported cosmetics and the ban on goods originating from Pakistan.
Unauthorised Products and Health Risks
The CDSCO's analysis confirmed that Goree Beauty Cream, manufactured by Goree Cosmetics, and Chandni Whitening Cream, manufactured by SJ Enterprises—both based in Lahore, Pakistan—are unauthorized. These products were found to contain heavy metals beyond specified safe limits, which can lead to various toxic effects on human health.
Consumers who have already purchased these creams are strongly advised to discontinue their use. Furthermore, establishments and individuals are warned against selling, distributing, or advertising these unauthorized products.
India's Import Regulations and Pakistan Ban
The manufacturing and import of cosmetic products in India are governed by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, with standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). While domestic cosmetics require a license from the State Licensing Authority, imported cosmetics must be registered with the Central Licensing Authority to ensure public safety.
Adding another layer of restriction, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) implemented a ban on May 2, 2025, prohibiting the direct or indirect import or transit of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan. This ban remains in effect until further notice.
Circumventing the Ban: E-commerce Presence and Routing
Despite the import ban and regulatory requirements, the Goree and Chandni creams were reportedly available on major Indian e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Tata 1mg, and Snapdeal. Some listings even falsely described the products as “Made in India,” with manufacturer details often obscured or unavailable.
For instance, an Amazon listing for Goree Cream, which was later removed, identified Neha Organic as the manufacturer and packer, claiming India as the country of origin. Amazon stated that its marketplace hosts independent third-party sellers who are responsible for complying with Indian laws, and the company removes non-compliant listings when directed by regulatory authorities.
Regulatory experts suggest that these products likely entered India through third countries, such as the UAE or Nepal, where distribution networks might be utilized to reroute Pakistani goods. Another theory posits that import documents could be manipulated to indicate a different country of origin after minimal processing elsewhere, although concrete evidence for these specific creams' entry routes remains unconfirmed.
Platform Actions and Consumer Vigilance
Following the CDSCO's alert, e-commerce platforms have taken action. Amazon removed the Goree listing once the country-of-origin information was determined to be incorrect. Flipkart is reportedly examining whether the products breached its rules, and Meesho also delisted the creams, noting that previous delisting efforts might have been bypassed due to false 'Made in India' claims.
The CDSCO urges consumers to purchase only authorized cosmetics and to meticulously check product labels for essential details such as the manufacturing license number, manufacturer's details, batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates, and, for imported products, the registration number. Violations should be reported to the respective State Drugs Controller for domestically manufactured products or the Drugs Controller General (India) for imported cosmetics.
Calls for Stronger Enforcement
Experts are calling for enhanced regulatory enforcement, including maintaining comprehensive lists of cosmetic and pharmaceutical distributors and retailers to ensure that critical warnings reach all levels of the supply chain. Strong action against retailers and e-commerce platforms that continue to list unauthorized products is also recommended to safeguard public health effectively.