India’s drug regulator has issued a public health alert after two Pakistani-made beauty products were sold in the country without the required approvals required for imported cosmetics.
The Central Drugs
Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) named Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream on September 8, warning consumers not to buy or use them after it was found that these products contained heavy metals above specified limits, according to several reports.
The CDSCO also directed sellers, distributors and other establishments not to sell, distribute or advertise these products. The alert raised questions as to how these products made their way into the Indian markets despite restrictions on Pakistani-origin goods.
What Did India Say On Pakistani Beauty Products?
The regulator flagged Goree Beauty Cream, manufactured by Goree Cosmetics in Lahore, and Chandni Whitening Cream, managed by SJ Enterprises in Lahore, saying they contained “excessive heavy metals beyond the specified limits, which may pose health risk to the consumers, including toxic effects.”
CDSCO has asked consumers not to purchase the products and to stop using them if they have already bought them. Traders, establishments and individuals have also been told not to sell, distribute or advertise them.
The warning comes amid continuing concerns over the circulation of unregistered cosmetic products in India, particularly products marketed as skin-whitening or fairness creams.
How Did Pakistani Products Come To India?
India’s Cosmetics Rules, 2020, stipulate that imported cosmetics must be registered with the Central Licensing Authority before they can be brought into the country for sale. Domestic cosmetics require a licence from the relevant state licensing authority.
However, CDSCO’s latest notice said that these two imported cosmetics were being sold domestically without valid registration certificates, as per reports. This alert has brought both product safety and compliance with import controls under scrutiny.
CDSCO’s statement came after a direction issued in July 2026 by Drugs Controller General of India Rajeev Raghuvanshi to state drug regulators and CDSCO offices, according to Business Standard, calling for increased surveillance of imported cosmetics that are being sold without valid registration certificates.
Ban On Pakistan-Origin Goods
Notably, India has prohibited the direct or indirect import or transit of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan on May 2, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack that further soured relations between the two countries.
The prohibition covers goods entering India directly from Pakistan as well as those routed through other countries. Despite the ban, Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream were reportedly listed on several Indian e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal. Some listings also reportedly identified India as the country of origin.
One listing named Neha Organic as the manufacturer for Goree Beauty Cream on Amazon, raising questions about nefarious business practices through misleading details.
