Concerns Rise Over Mercury in Cosmetics; Calls for Safer Beauty Standards

A scare is running through India's beauty industry as high concentrations of mercury were found in several cosmetic items, prompting demands for a countrywide ban on these products. The issue came to light during Operation Saundarya, a crackdown by Kerala's Drugs Control Department on spurious and unlicensed beauty goods.

 

Authorities have recently seized cosmetics valued at ₹7 lakh, such as lipsticks and face creams with as much as 12,000 times the acceptable levels of mercury. These are mostly sold unlicensed and unlabeled and are dangerous to health—ranging from skin injury to neurological and organ toxicity.

 

Kerala Health Minister Veena George requested the central government to completely ban mercury-based cosmetics, in the public interest. She also requested strict implementation of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, and requested the public to look for labels on the product as well as the credentials of the manufacturer before making a purchase.

 

Key Highlights:

 

33 producers lined up for violating safety standards.

Mercury in test samples well exceeded the 1 ppm legal limit.

Operation Saundarya to start its third phase with increased inspections.

Individuals were requested to report suspicious products via toll-free helpline 18004253182.

Experts aware of the long-term impacts of mercury on kidneys, brain, and skin.

 

With the beauty industry booming and fake products clogging shelves, regulators are now in the limelight to move quickly. A nationwide ban may be the next major move to clean up India's cosmetic industry.

 

Source: India Today, Onmanorama, The New Indian Express