Recently, Maha FDA busts racket making Spurious Creams Sold Under Reputed Brand Names at a factory in Nagpur and were allegedly sold in packs of reputed brands like Pantene and Loreal to gullible customers.
Four peoples were arrested by the Nagpur police along with Maha FDA in this connection. However, the case is under investigation to assess the quantum of the crime and violation as the manufacturer might be selling it to other states in the country, according to a senior FDA official.
Officials of Maha FDA also added that the cosmetics from these manufacturers mainly were being sold to salons, parlors and spas and even in the slum areas of Nagpur. The main culprit has been charged under Section 27(a) (1) and Section 17 D (d) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. FDA will assist Police officials to investigate the matter and the penalty may range from imprisonment of 3 years with a fine of not less than Rs. 50, 000.
Last year also, FDA made a massive crackdown against the manufacturers of steroid-laden skin creams for making false claims of making a person fair in contravention of the labeling conditions of the Drug Rules. Being advertised and sold under the brand names – ClearSkin, SuperGlow and Skin Brite, these creams were being sold as OTC drugs. And the creams have ingredients like hydroquinone, tretinoin and mometasone furoate which are actually meant to treat skin disorders based on a doctor’s supervision and can’t be sell without doctor’s prescription. These drugs not to be sold or to be used as a cosmetic under the provisions of the law.
Many fairness creams mislead public with their false claims on enhancing skin’s complexion and treatment, a practice that is prohibited, and the use of which could aggravate skin problems.
FDA seized such steroid-laden creams from different locations in the state and detected two such cases in the past of products UB Fair for men and No Scars cream for women containing steroids like fluocinolone acetonide and mometasone along with skin bleaching agents.
So, be cautious while purchasing any cosmetics from the market.
