Mumbai, September 4, 2025 – In a sweeping five-year crackdown on the cosmetics sector, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled 43 licenses and suspended 90 more after 936 inspections across the state. The actions targeted counterfeit labelling, substandard products, and unlicensed operators that have caused skin allergies and other consumer health risks.
Peak Action in 2022–23
The year 2022–23 saw the most aggressive enforcement, with 209 inspections leading to 20 cancellations — the highest in a single year. Other years also recorded significant suspensions, highlighting persistent malpractice in the industry.
Unsafe Products and Consumer Risks
FDA officials found multiple violations, including fake branding and poor-quality cosmetic goods imitating established products. Many of these were linked to adverse effects like rashes and allergic reactions, prompting stricter scrutiny of manufacturers and importers.
Proposal to Regulate Retailers
A key challenge remains that retailers are currently outside the FDA’s legal ambit, leaving a loophole that allows unsafe products to reach consumers. To address this, the FDA has submitted a proposal to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), seeking to bring cosmetic retailers under its regulatory scope through mandatory registration. If approved, the move would empower authorities with a registry of sellers and the legal backing to shut down outlets distributing unsafe cosmetics.
