Nagpur: A skin-whitening cream allegedly linked to kidney-related illnesses in 18 women from Maharashtra’s Nagpur has triggered a major public health concern, prompting the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban its sale, distribution, and use after laboratory tests detected alarmingly high levels of toxic heavy metals.
The product, Goree Beauty Cream, reportedly manufactured in Pakistan, was allegedly being sold through e-commerce platform Meesho and several Instagram pages despite restrictions on imports from Pakistan. The FDA has now classified the cream as “Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)” and ordered an immediate halt to its sale.
FDA Bans Three Beauty Products
Along with Goree Beauty Cream, the Maharashtra FDA has also declared the following products as unsafe:
- Face Fresh Gold (Beauty Cream & Beauty Serum)
- Golden Star Beauty Cream
Laboratory analysis reportedly found that these products contained mercury and lead in quantities far exceeding the legally permissible limits, posing serious health risks to consumers.
18 Nagpur Women Reportedly Suffer Kidney Problems
The controversy emerged after doctors in Nagpur reportedly identified a disturbing pattern among patients over the past two years. According to reports, 18 women who sought medical treatment for kidney-related ailments had one common factor—they had all reportedly been using Goree Beauty Cream.
The repeated occurrence prompted further scrutiny, leading to laboratory testing of the product by the Maharashtra FDA.
Mercury Levels Reportedly 752 Times Above Permissible Limit
The issue gained widespread attention after health content creator Chirag Barjatya highlighted the findings on Instagram.
Citing Maharashtra FDA laboratory reports, Barjatya claimed that Goree Beauty Cream contained 752 times the legally permissible limit of mercury.
In his post, he wrote that doctors treating 18 women in Nagpur noticed a common pattern after all the patients presented with kidney problems and were found to have used the same Pakistani skin-lightening cream, which was allegedly available through Instagram sellers and Meesho.
Why Mercury in Skin Creams Is Dangerous
Experts warn that mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal sometimes illegally added to skin-lightening products because it suppresses the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour. Although this may temporarily lighten the skin, prolonged exposure allows mercury to accumulate inside the body.
Long-term mercury exposure can potentially lead to:
- Kidney damage and kidney failure
- Nervous system disorders
- Skin irritation and rashes
- Memory and neurological problems
- Harm to unborn babies during pregnancy
Criminal Case Already Registered in Mumbai
The FDA’s action comes shortly after Mumbai Police registered a criminal case against a shopkeeper in Chembur for allegedly stocking and selling Goree Beauty Cream despite the Central Government’s restrictions on imports from Pakistan.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the supply chain and online sale of the product.
Public Advised to Avoid Unverified Beauty Products
Health authorities have urged consumers to avoid purchasing skin-lightening products from unverified online sellers or social media pages without checking regulatory approvals. Consumers currently using the banned products are advised to stop using them immediately and seek medical advice if they experience symptoms such as skin irritation, swelling, fatigue, or urinary problems.
The incident has reignited concerns over the growing online sale of unregulated cosmetic products and the need for stricter monitoring of e-commerce platforms and social media marketplaces.
