Pakistani 'Gauri' face cream sold in Madhya Pradesh found to contain mercury

According to a report by the Aaj Tak news outlet, a shocking revelation has come to light regarding how the obsession with becoming fair can prove to be dangerous. A cream applied on the face to look beautiful can also damage your kidneys, nervous system, and brain. A claim has emerged that the Pakistan-made fairness cream 'Gauri' contains mercury in extremely dangerous quantities. Despite this cream being banned in Maharashtra, it is being sold openly in several cities including Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal. This means that a toxic chemical is being applied to faces in the name of fairness.

Behind this cream, which claims fairness and promises a facial glow, lies a dangerous poison that can reach deep inside the body through the skin. First, the skin is affected, and then long-term exposure carries the risk of damaging the kidneys, nervous system, and brain. It is being claimed that this Pakistan-made fairness cream 'Gauri' is easily available at prices ranging from ₹150 to ₹800 in Bhopal's shops, e-commerce websites, and social media platforms. The cream is being sold stealthily and on online sites in Bhopal's biggest cosmetics market, Chowk Bazaar. 'Made in Pakistan' is also written on its cover.

The most frightening aspect of this revelation is that, according to dermatologist Dr. Prerna Sharma, mercury has been found in this cream at a level of 5700 PPM, while the safe limit is stated to be less than 1 PPM. That means it has been claimed that the mercury is more than 5700 times higher than the prescribed limit. Mercury is not a common chemical. Prolonged exposure to it can become extremely dangerous for the body. Mercury reaching the body through the skin can damage the kidneys and nervous system, and the biggest cause for concern is that its effect is often not visible immediately.

According to dermatologist Dr. Prerna Sharma, mercury affects the production of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the very pigment that determines the color of our skin. When its production is affected, the skin color starts appearing lighter. But this is not a natural beauty. This is a bargain to put the body at grave risk for fairness. Reports of kidney failure in more than 18 women in Maharashtra have raised serious questions regarding this cream.

In this entire matter, the Madhya Pradesh government has now also sprung into action. Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang has taken note of the entire matter. Orders have been given to the police administration and relevant departments to conduct an investigation and take strict action. Now the question is not just about the sale of the cream, but of the health of the people who are unknowingly applying poison to their faces.

Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Singh has stated that despite trade bans, the police are investigating how Pakistan-made products are reaching India. Who is the supplier of this network? Who is the middleman? And who is the person making a profit by tampering with people's health? The police are investigating and analyzing this entire network and preparations for strict action are underway.

This entire matter has raised a question that is extremely important to find an answer to. Are we putting our lives at stake in the obsession to become fair? Are banned foreign products bypassing our security system and reaching homes directly? And the biggest question is whether the price of looking beautiful now has to be paid by giving up one's kidneys and life? The truth of this cream sold in the name of fairness is now surrounded by questions and a deep investigation into it is underway.