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40% of Mumbai consumers bought fake cosmetics, survey finds
A LocalCircles survey of over 4,800 Mumbai consumers found that 40% had purchased at least one fake or counterfeit cosmetic in the past three years, and 30% reported an allergic reaction. The…
The Story in Brief
A LocalCircles survey of over 4,800 Mumbai consumers found that 40% had purchased at least one fake or counterfeit cosmetic in the past three years, and 30% reported an allergic reaction. The findings come after Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who took charge in May 2026, led raids seizing illegal cosmetics worth Rs 34.61 lakh in June. The survey suggests fake cosmetics are widely available from local stores, market stalls, and online platforms.
The overlap between counterfeit purchases and allergic reactions is notable: more than half of those who bought a fake cosmetic also reported an allergic reaction. The FDA has already intensified enforcement against food and drug violations, and the survey raises the question of whether cosmetics will be the next target.
The Indian Opinion
Politicians and industry lobbies may dismiss the survey as alarmist, but 40% of consumers encountering fakes and 30% facing allergic reactions are numbers that demand action. The narrative that enforcement targets only small traders is false; the FDA seized stock from Crawford Market, a major retail hub. The real test is whether Commissioner Mundhe's team will now systematically inspect cosmetic supply chains and publish monthly seizure data, so consumers can judge progress for themselves.
Source: indiatoday.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
