Kerala Drugs Control Department Seizes Spurious Cosmetics in Capital

The Kerala Drugs Control Department seized spurious cosmetic products valued at ₹9.64 lakh in Thiruvananthapuram during enforcement drives named Operation Soundarya. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan announced the findings on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, revealing dangerously high toxicity levels in popular face creams. Laboratory tests confirmed that imported face cream brands Faiza and Goree contained up to 20,000 parts per million of mercury.

The detected mercury concentration drastically exceeds the legal safety limit of 1 part per million stipulated under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. Investigators discovered that these Pakistan-manufactured creams were distributed and sold in local markets without mandatory manufacturing licenses, marketing permits, or valid purchase bills. The multi-phase inspections concluded at the end of July across various retail outlets in the capital district.

Officials confiscated stock worth ₹5.09 lakh in the first phase, followed by smaller seizures across subsequent inspections. Authorities also conducted quality checks on other items, including lipsticks, baby oils, powders, and soaps. Legal proceedings have been formally initiated against the violators, and health officials are executing immediate recalls to remove the hazardous cosmetics from circulation.