Synthetic dyes such as ‘Picramic Acid’ is used in Mehendi cones and powders which may pose health problems
HYDERABAD, MARCH 07, 2024: Officials of Telangana Drugs Control Administration continue their drive against the unlicensed manufacturers, misleading advertisements and fake drugs in various parts of the state.
Accordingly, the DCA officials have busted an unlicensed manufacturing firm named Nagris Herbs and producing cosmetics including Mehendi cones (henna paste) and Henna powder under the under brand names such as ‘Pakeezah Gold Mehendi Cone,’ ‘Pakeezah Art Henna,’ ‘Pakeezah Fast Art Henna – Instant Cone,’ and ‘Pakeezah Purified Henna (Mehendi) Powder,’ without a cosmetic license at Jiyaguda in Hyderabad.
DCA Director-General VB Kamalasan Reddy said that on credible information, the officials raided an unlicensed manufacturing facility named Nagris Herbs on March 6 and 7, 2024, and detected unlicensed manufacturing of cosmetics including ‘Mehendi (Henna) Cones’ and ‘Henna Powder’. Cosmetics can only be manufactured under a ‘Cosmetics License’ issued by the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, in premises equipped with facilities complying with Good Manufacturing Practices and other requirements for cosmetics manufacturing, adhering to the standards set forth by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The cosmetics ‘Mehendi Cones’ must conform to the Indian Standards for Cosmetics laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) IS 17318:2020, while ‘Henna (Mehendi) Powder’ shall adhere to BIS Standard IS 11142:2023. Synthetic dyes such as ‘Picramic Acid’ are prohibited from being added to Henna as per BIS standards.
During the raid, DCA officials seized large quantities of cosmetics, including Mehendi Cones (Henna Paste) and Henna Powder etc worth Rs 50,000 from owner of Nagari Abhishek. Assistant Directors P Ramu, T. Rajamouli and Drugs Inspectors P. Santosh, C. Vivekananda Reddy, V. Ajay, and Ch. Karthik Siva Chaitanya were among the officers who carried out the raid.
Misleading claims on Jadi Buti hair oil and Bellacare syrup
In an another operation, the officials raided medical shops in Mahabunagar and Jadcherla detected ‘Jadi Buti Nourishing Hair Oil’ being circulated in the market with misleading claims on its labels, stating that it treats ‘epilepsy’ and ‘anxiety’. Similarly, ‘Bellacare Syrup’ was found to have misleading claims on its labels, suggesting it treats ‘Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding’, ‘Menstrual irregularities’, and ‘Unexplained female infertility’. Such claims are in violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
The said products were detected by DCA officials at GVR agencies, Mahabubnagar, and Chandra Medical and General stores, Jadcherla. Stocks of these products, with a total worth of Rs. 20,556/-, were seized during the raid. Advertisement of products for the treatment of ‘epilepsy’, ‘anxiety’, ‘Disorders of menstrual flow’, and ‘Diseases and disorders of the uterus’ is prohibited under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
Dinesh Kumar, Assistant Director, Mahbubnagar, Sk. Rabiya, Drugs Inspector, Mahbubnagar, Mohd. Rafhi, Drugs Inspector, Jadcherla, G. Ravikiran, Drugs Inspector, Nagarkurnool, A.N. Kranthi Kumar, Drugs Inspector, Narayanpet, and A. Rashmi, Drugs Inspector, Wanaparthy are among the officers who carried out the raid.
