Regulators crack down on chemical-laced kumkum sold at religious sites

Regulatory authorities have launched a nationwide crackdown on kumkum and ritual powders adulterated with toxic industrial chemicals, following DCGI directives mandating strict testing, BIS compliance and legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to protect public health.

Hyderabad: In a major move to safeguard public health, regulatory authorities have decided to crack down on manufacturing units indulging in the practice of lacing kumkum (vermillion) and other color powders sold at religious locations with cheap, unsafe chemicals.

The move comes as authorities have now realised that the traditional, biodegradable ingredients, which were integral part of kumkum etc, are now being replaced by cheap, synthetic industrial pigments, manufactured out of unregulated units.

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Moreover, at religious sites, these chemical-based powders are often submerged in local water bodies during rituals, leading to environmental contamination.

A few days ago, the Drug Controller General of India (DCCI) has instructed all the State Drug Control Administrations to launch a nationwide sampling and testing exercise of kumkum and other ritual powders, including turmeric, at religious sites.

This directive mandates that state and union territory drug controllers treat the regulation of these substances as a top priority under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act of 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules of 2020.
The legal basis for this crackdown lies in the classification of kumkum as a cosmetic under Section 3 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. By formalizing this status, the DCGI has empowered regulators to classify synthetic powders containing toxic substances as ‘adulterated’ under Section 17E of the Act.

This allows for immediate legal action against manufacturers and vendors who bypass quality controls, especially those selling unlabelled or loose powders in open vessels, which lack any form of traceability or safety verification.

The health risks associated with these synthetic powders are severe and wide-ranging. Laboratory analysis has identified the presence of dangerous industrial pigments, including lead oxide, red mercury sulphate, copper sulphate, and malachite green, alongside various azo dyes and cobalt.

Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to acute dermatological disorders, permanent ophthalmic injuries, and respiratory distress. Furthermore, long-term exposure can lead to systemic toxicity and carcinogenic effects, posing a grave threat to devotees who use these products as part of their daily rituals.

To ensure future safety, all kumkum products must now conform to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) IS 10999:2021. This standard requires comprehensive testing for heavy metals and microbial contamination, as well as strict adherence to Rule 34 of the Cosmetics Rules regarding packaging.
Moving forward, every packet must clearly display the manufacturer’s license number, batch details, and a full list of ingredients.

• Major crackdown on unregulated units involved in manufacturing vermillion etc
• Kumkum and other powders have been assigned status of cosmetics
• Regulatory authorities can now classify such powders that contain toxic substances as adulterated Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
• Recent tests revealed identified dangerous industrial pigments
• Such powders tested positive for lead oxide, red mercury sulphate, copper sulphate, and malachite green, alongside various azo dyes and cobalt.
• Exposure to such chemicals cause multitude of health problems
• Skin disorders, permanent ophthalmic injuries, respiratory distress
• Long-term exposure can lead to systemic toxicity and carcinogenic effects