Posted By :  Admin1

In a significant move to protect consumers, Kerala's Drug Control Department has intensified its efforts against counterfeit cosmetics. A recent week-long operation, known as 'Operation Soundarya', involved surprise raids on over 100 shops across all districts. The enforcement officials seized fake cosmetic items worth Rs. 10 lakh, including face creams and lipsticks. Many of these seized products were found to be manufactured in foreign countries, including Pakistan. 

This operation follows a similar crackdown conducted in September of the previous year, during which fake products worth Rs. 5 lakh were seized, and actions were initiated against 17 shop owners. In the latest operation, the value of seized items has doubled, and approximately 500 samples from 20 companies were collected for authenticity testing. A total of 45 prosecution cases have been filed under Sections 17(c) and 17(d) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act against sellers and stockists. The seized products were found to be misbranded and spurious, lacking proper addresses of manufacturers or marketers. 

The prevalence of counterfeit cosmetics poses significant health risks to consumers. A survey by LocalCircles found that one in four households in India have faced issues with cosmetics in the past three years, with 15% experiencing allergic reactions or severe ailments due to their use. The Drug Control Department has emphasized the importance of consumer awareness and is considering proposals to mandate sale licenses for cosmetic products to ensure quality and safety.