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Deadly Fairness Cream Floods Indian Market Despite Bans
11 Nov
Summary
- Pakistani cream contains toxic mercury and lead, harming internal organs.
- Despite being banned globally, the cream is sold online and in markets.
- Maharashtra banned the cream after 18 women suffered severe kidney damage.
A potent skin-lightening cream, Goree Beauty Cream, originating from Pakistan, is being illegally sold across India, posing severe health risks. Health experts have confirmed the presence of toxic heavy metals, including mercury and lead, in the product. These substances, found at levels drastically exceeding safe limits, can be absorbed through the skin and inflict irreversible damage upon internal organs such as the liver and kidneys.
Maharashtra has taken the lead in banning this cream following a disturbing discovery where 18 women presented with severe kidney damage, all linked to their use of Goree Beauty Cream. Subsequent laboratory tests corroborated the dangerous presence of mercury and lead. The cream's mechanism involves inhibiting melanin production to lighten skin, but this effect is temporary, and its toxic components cause escalating harm with prolonged use, affecting the skin, nervous system, brain, and vital organs.
Despite international bans and advisories from regulatory bodies in countries like New Zealand and the Philippines, the cream continues to be smuggled into India. Authorities are investigating the supply routes, which reportedly involve border crossings into states like Madhya Pradesh. The sale persists through various online platforms and local markets, raising urgent public health concerns.
Previous international actions include New Zealand's Medsafe advising against its use in 2021 due to high mercury and lead content. In 2025, the Philippines FDA issued a public health advisory, citing violations of cosmetic regulations and safety concerns, including a lack of mandatory labeling information.
