The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized 12 fake bottles of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser from a retailer in Pune’s Shivajinagar after an inspection found them to be “fake cosmetics”, despite the products bearing an expiry date of December 2028.
HT had earlier reported that the seizure took place on June 22, and the case was registered on the same day.
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There is no problem with the manufacturing date, but it is “fake”.
According to the FDA, Drugs Inspector Shrikant V Patil of Pune division conducted a spot check at Om Chemist, where he collected a 118 ml sample of the detergent bearing lot number B5NA1110.
The report added that the product carries a label indicating that it was manufactured in December 2025 and an expiration date of December 2028.
The detergent is marketed in India by Galderma India Pvt Ltd and manufactured by Encube Ethicals Pvt Ltd.
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The difference between the original product and “fake cosmetics”
As part of the investigation, samples were sent to the manufacturer’s laboratory for testing.
While laboratory analysis found the contents to be within quality specifications, detailed comparison of packaging, labeling, printing and security features revealed significant differences from the original product.
Further verification by the manufacturer and marketing company confirmed that the seized bottles were not manufactured through the authorized production process.
Based on these findings, the FDA classified the products as “counterfeit cosmetics” under the provisions of the Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1940.
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“Serious risk to consumer health”: Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration
“Counterfeit medicines and cosmetics are not only a form of economic fraud but can also pose a serious risk to the health of consumers,” said FDA Commissioner Tukaram Munde.
Strict legal action will be taken against those involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of such counterfeit products.”
A case has been registered under Sections 318 (4), 336 (3) and 340 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023. Further investigation is underway.
(Inputs from Hizb ut Tahrir correspondent)
