Now Reading: 40% of Mumbai consumers bought fake cosmetics, survey finds
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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 bought a fake or counterfeit cosmetic in the past three years, while 30% reported an allergic reaction. More than half…
The Story in Brief
A LocalCircles survey of over 4,800 Mumbai consumers found that 40% had bought a fake or counterfeit cosmetic in the past three years, while 30% reported an allergic reaction. More than half of those who bought a counterfeit also suffered an allergic reaction. The survey comes as Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who took charge in May 2026, has led an aggressive enforcement drive against food adulteration and unsafe products. In June, the FDA seized illegal cosmetic stock worth Rs 34.61 lakh from Karad and Mumbai’s Crawford Market. Mumbai Police separately seized Pakistan-made cosmetics worth Rs 12 lakh in July.
Mundhe’s broader crackdown has included 1,131 inspections, seizure of food stocks worth nearly Rs 50 crore, and suspension of 56 restaurant licences. Inspections at iconic Mumbai eateries such as K Rustom & Co. and Parsi Dairy Farm revealed hygiene and storage violations. The survey found that local stores and market stalls were the biggest source of fake cosmetics (31%), followed by online platforms (23%) and beauty stores (18%).
The Indian Opinion
The survey is a timely reminder that consumer risk in India runs far beyond adulterated food. Yet the usual narratives are already forming: some will lionise Tukaram Mundhe as a lone crusader, while others will dismiss the numbers as an overreaction to small-time counterfeiting. Both miss the point. The 30% who reported allergic reactions suggest real health harm, not just financial loss. Mundhe has shown he can move fast, 1,131 food inspections in weeks. The test now is whether the FDA follows the data with equal rigour on cosmetics, or if this becomes another forgotten alarm.
Sources (2): indiatoday.in, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
