Cosmetics worth Rs 78 lakh seized

KOCHI: After Ayurveda majors, the cosmetics industry has now come under the scanner of the Drugs Control Department. Cosmetics worth Rs 78 lakh belonging to a major company were seized on Friday from across the state for allegedly misleading the public through false claims and advertisements.“Prosecution steps have been initiated against certain products of the Hindustan Unilever Ltd such as Fair & Lovely Multi-vitamin Under Eye Serum, Fair & Lovely (Ayurvedic Care) and Fair & Lovely Multi-vitamin,” State Drugs Controller Satheesh Kumar said. He said that the products were ‘misbranded’ as these were manufactured and marketed in violation of sections 17(C) (b)& (c) of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. “After the investigation, prosecution steps will be initiated against other cosmetics products which are manufactured and marketed in violation of the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act,” he said.The clear fairness meter attached with the outer carton of the product, non-indication of  concentration of each ingredient and lack of specifications regarding the name and type of the product (whether it is cream or gel) are some of the things that led to the products being misbranded. Also, one of the products claims to contain kumkumadi tailam (saffron oil), an ayurvedic preparation, which is in violation of the Act, Satheesh Kumar said.   The drive was held under the leadership of K J John, Assistant Drugs Controller (Intelligence wing). Despite repeated efforts, no one from the Hindustan Unilever Ltd was available for comment.