The Tamil Nadu Drugs Department has started search at hair oil and cosmetics manufacturing units in Coimbatore and e-commerce websites' warehouses on a complaint of unapproved products, including rabbit blood-added hair oil, in association with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Key Highlights:
Inspections Conducted at Different Sites:

• Raids were carried out at three places—two at Zamin Kottampatti and another at Kammalapatti in Pollachi, Coimbatore district.

• Another e-commerce warehouse building in Orattukuppai village was also visited to track possible online sales of counterfeit products.

Rabbit Blood Hair Oil Claims Investigation:

• One of the complaints lodged from the Erode district accused hair oil with rabbit blood of marketing it with antibacterial and antifungal properties to treat dandruff and scalp infections.

• No rabbit blood hair oil production traces have so far been found by their inspections, though authorities are still on lookout for their social media sales and supply channels.

Regulatory Problems and Legal Actions:

• The product has not been scientifically established and licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

• Cosmetic products need CDSCO approval and come under Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulations.

• The government cautioned against strict legal action against producers, marketers, and internet-based retailers who are selling counterfeit or unauthorized cosmetics.

Quotes of Experts: S. Marimuthu, Assistant Director of Drug Control, Coimbatore Zone:

• We will keep carrying out investigations throughout Coimbatore to prevent illegal cosmetics. Such social media websites selling illegal cosmetics are being closely monitored.

• The public should be informed that such cosmetics are not cleared through scientific tests, and legal action would be taken against the culprits.

The CDSCO and the Department of Drugs will continue to regulate the sale and manufacture of unapproved cosmetic products online in accordance with rules. Buyers must be careful and verify the approval status and authenticity of cosmetic products prior to consumption.