Maharashtra FDA bans Goree, Face Fresh Gold skin creams over toxic mercury and lead levels

State regulator ordered retailers, wholesalers and e-commerce platforms to halt sale and recall three Pakistani skin-lightening creams after 18 Nagpur women fell ill. FDA raided 34 units, drew 787 samples (35 substandard), filed 9 FIRs and seized stock worth ₹4.12 crore.

— Filed Sun, 5 Jul, 2026, 15:31 IST · Source Business Today · Latest · Updated

Maharashtra FDA banned Goree, Face Fresh Gold and Golden Star skin-lightening creams over unsafe mercury/lead levels after 18 Nagpur women fell ill. Retailers, wholesalers and e-commerce platforms ordered to halt sale, stock and distribution, and recall inventory.

Why this matters

Maharashtra FDA's ban and ₹4.12 crore seizure mark a significant enforcement escalation against imported skin-lightening creams, forcing retailers and e-commerce platforms to recall Goree and related brands over documented toxicity.

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