Toxic Heavy Metals Found in Fairness Creams

Recently, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) flagged five skin-lightening cosmetic products for containing mercury and lead beyond permissible limits and initiated criminal investigations against their manufacturers.

Key Findings

• Laboratory analysis found mercury levels 18–20 times above the permissible limit.
• Five cosmetic products were found to contain unsafe levels of mercury and lead.
• The products lacked mandatory details such as manufacturing date, expiry date and batch number.

Why is Mercury Added to Fairness Creams?

• Mercury salts inhibit the enzyme involved in melanin production.
• Reduced melanin gives the appearance of lighter skin within 10-15 days.
• The rapid skin-lightening effect makes mercury attractive to illegal ....