Pakistani Goree Beauty Cream Flagged by FDA for Mercury and Lead, Maharashtra Orders Immediate Ban
Maharashtra FDA has directed a ban and recall of three beauty creams after tests found unsafe levels of mercury and lead. The products were declared Not of Standard Quality and ordered off shelves, but continue to appear online. The advisory also warns consumers of serious health risks from mercury exposure and urges use of only properly labelled, regulated cosmetics.
The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has directed retailers, wholesalers, distributors, stockists and e-commerce platforms to immediately stop selling, stocking, displaying and distributing three beauty creams after laboratory tests found unsafe levels of mercury and lead. However, despite the order, the products continued to be available on multiple online platforms, including Meesho, a day after the regulator’s directive.
The FDA has declared Goree Beauty Cream, Face Fresh Gold (Beauty Cream + Beauty Serum) and Golden Star Beauty Cream as “Not of Standard Quality” (NSQ) after tests detected mercury and lead above permissible limits. The regulator has also ordered a market recall and asked stockists to submit details of the recalled quantities. Why the US FDA Flagged 3 Indian Supplements Over Unapproved S*xual Performance Claims.
Goree Beauty Cream Among Three Products Banned After FDA Detects Heavy Metals
Products Still Available Online Despite Ban
A check by CNBC-TV18 found Goree Beauty Cream listed on Meesho even after the FDA order. An order placed on Sunday, July 5, was successfully accepted at the time of reporting.
The cream was also reportedly available on independent beauty websites, other e-commerce platforms and through social media sellers, raising concerns about enforcement of the recall. Sting Banned Near Schools: Maharashtra Cracks Down on High-Caffeine Energy Drinks.
The products were also found to lack key manufacturing details, including manufacturer name and address, as well as mandatory labelling information such as batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date.
Health Concerns Linked to Heavy Metals
Mercury and lead are toxic heavy metals that can cause serious health risks when absorbed through the skin over prolonged use.
According to warnings from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mercury exposure can lead to kidney damage, nervous system disorders, tremors, numbness, headaches, fatigue, depression, memory problems and skin rashes.
Health experts also warn that contamination can extend to household members through contact with towels, clothing and bedding.
Possible Trigger Linked to Nagpur Cases
While the Maharashtra FDA advisory did not specify the trigger for the action, reports suggest it follows health concerns in Nagpur.
According to United News of India (UNI), 18 women developed kidney disorders over two years, with doctors reportedly linking several cases to Pakistan-made skin-lightening creams. This prompted inspections and sample testing by the FDA. However, the regulator has not confirmed whether the tested products are directly linked to those earlier samples.
Online Demand Despite Safety Concerns
Despite regulatory action, Goree Beauty Cream continues to receive customer interest online.
User reviews on e-commerce platforms have included claims such as “Result in 7 days”, “Very good whitening cream”, “Amazing result”, and “Skin becomes fair and glowing”.
Health authorities caution that such claims should be treated carefully, particularly when products lack verified manufacturing details or regulatory approval.
Global Warnings on Similar Products
The issue is not limited to India. In 2021, New Zealand’s Medsafe warned against Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene after detecting mercury and lead.
In 2025, the Philippines Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory against Goree Beauty Kit products due to lack of regulatory approval. Environmental group BAN Toxics also reported high mercury levels in independent tests and called for stricter enforcement.
What Consumers Are Advised
The Maharashtra FDA has urged consumers to immediately stop using the three flagged products and avoid purchasing cosmetics without complete labelling information.
Authorities have advised buyers to ensure products include manufacturer details, batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date, and to purchase only from authorised sellers.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2026 12:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).