Adulterated cosmetics flood Khulna markets

Flying in the face of all rules and regulations, fake and substandard beauty products have flooded Khulna city and rural markets in the district with unscrupulous businessmen making a killing out of selling them, allegedly with the help of law enforcers. That’s not all. According to experts, these cosmetics, made with dangerous chemicals, can cause serious harm to skin and hair instead of serving the purpose of enhancing beauty.
Sources said traders supply fake cosmetics to shops in Khulna and elsewhere in the country after tagging labels of reputed local and international brands. Information Officer and Assistant Director of BSTI, Khulna Regional Office, Mrinal Kanti Biswas said factories manufacturing such cosmetics have mushroomed in Dhaka’s Jinjira, Kushirbagh, Kalindi, Nandail, Bamonshur of Keraniganj area, Chalkbazar, Kamalbagh, Islambagh, Begumbazar, Rahmatganj, Debidas Ghat, Malitola, Laghbagh, Borokatra, Chotokatra, Kamrangirchar and Deyara-Jugihati under Rupsha Upazila of Khulna district. Mrinal informed that raw material for manufacturing these cosmetics is collected from shops in the capital’s Mitford area while empty packets or containers of reputed branded products are
used in packaging the fake/substandard
beauty products.
Deputy Director (Certification Marks) of BSTI, Khulna Regional Office, Engineer Md Ruhul
Amin said, “Fake beauty products including
moisturisers, nail polish, lotions, cold creams, face wash, cleansers, soaps, powders, snows, lipsticks, shampoos, conditioners, bleach, hair dyes, oils and shaving creams are produced in these factories.”
He added that labels of reputed international and local brands  are used on packets or containers of fake products to deceive consumers. The fake products only invite skin and other disorders. According to the sources, most of the fake cosmetic products are store in warehouses of different markets, including KDA New Market, Jalil Tower Market, Boro Bazar wholesale Markets, Safe n Save, Esha Chamber, Daulatpur Markets and all the upazila headquarters and rural bazaars.
Rafiqul Islam Sana, a retailer of Ghugrakati Bazaar under Koyra Upazila of Khulna district said, “We have to keep cosmetics from all kinds of suppliers to cater to different class of customers.” Shamim Ahsan, a cosmetics shop owner in the market revealed, “Profits from sales of fake cosmetics are huge in both urban and rural areas and a portion of the amount is given to law enforcers for helping manufacturers of fake products run the illegal business.”
Civil Surgeon of Khulna district Dr Yasin Ali Sardar said, “Substandard cosmetics contain strong acids and alkalis that are very harmful for skin and hair.” He added that use of such products may cause itching, hair loss, swelling, pigmentation and even skin cancer.
Skin, allergy and sex specialist in Khulna Dr Md Sirajul Alam said that some skin-brightening products contain chemicals to create an extra layer on the skin to prevent contact with sunlight which may cause adverse effects in the long run and even cause skin cancer. He added that continuous use of such products can cause cancer and advised consumers to be cautious while buying toiletries and cosmetics.
In reply to a query, Deputy Director of BSTI Khulna Regional Office Md Abdul Mannan said, “We cannot launch sudden anti-adulteration drives due to lack of necessary magistrates in the concerned administration. The magistrates are often tied up with routine duties which make them unavailable for anti-adulteration drives.” Despite the shortage, they are trying their best to regularly conduct anti-adulteration drives in the division, he added.

Adulterated cosmetics flood Khulna markets

Flying in the face of all rules and regulations, fake and substandard beauty products have flooded Khulna city and rural markets in the district with unscrupulous businessmen making a killing out of selling them, allegedly with the help of law enforcers. Thats not all. According to experts, these cosmetics, made with dangerous chemicals, can cause serious harm to skin and hair instead of serving the purpose of enhancing beauty. Sources said traders supply fake cosmetics to shops in Khulna and elsewhere in the country after tagging labels of reputed local and international brands. Information Officer and Assistant Director of BSTI, Khulna Regional Office, Mrinal Kanti Biswas said factories manufacturing such cosmetics have mushroomed in Dhakas Jinjira, Kushirbagh, Kalindi, Nandail, Bamonshur of Keraniganj area, Chalkbazar, Kamalbagh, Islambagh, Begumbazar, Rahmatganj, Debidas Ghat, Malitola, Laghbagh, Borokatra, Chotokatra, Kamrangirchar and Deyara-Jugihati under Rupsha Upazila of Khulna district. Mrinal informed that raw material for manufacturing these cosmetics is collected from shops in the capitals Mitford area while empty packets or containers of reputed branded products are used in packaging the fake/substandard beauty products. Deputy Director (Certification Marks) of BSTI, Khulna Regional Office, Engineer Md Ruhul Amin said, Fake beauty products including moisturisers, nail polish, lotions, cold creams, face wash, cleansers, soaps, powders, snows, lipsticks, shampoos, conditioners, bleach, hair dyes, oils and shaving creams are produced in these factories. He added that labels of reputed international and local brands are used on packets or containers of fake products to deceive consumers. The fake products only invite skin and other disorders. According to the sources, most of the fake cosmetic products are store in warehouses of different markets, including KDA New Market, Jalil Tower Market, Boro Bazar wholesale Markets, Safe n Save, Esha Chamber, Daulatpur Markets and all the upazila headquarters and rural bazaars. Rafiqul Islam Sana, a retailer of Ghugrakati Bazaar under Koyra Upazila of Khulna district said, We have to keep cosmetics from all kinds of suppliers to cater to different class of customers. Shamim Ahsan, a cosmetics shop owner in the market revealed, Profits from sales of fake cosmetics are huge in both urban and rural areas and a portion of the amount is given to law enforcers for helping manufacturers of fake products run the illegal business. Civil Surgeon of Khulna district Dr Yasin Ali Sardar said, Substandard cosmetics contain strong acids and alkalis that are very harmful for skin and hair. He added that use of such products may cause itching, hair loss, swelling, pigmentation and even skin cancer. Skin, allergy and sex specialist in Khulna Dr Md Sirajul Alam said that some skin-brightening products contain chemicals to create an extra layer on the skin to prevent contact with sunlight which may cause adverse effects in the long run and even cause skin cancer. He added that continuous use of such products can cause cancer and advised consumers to be cautious while buying toiletries and cosmetics. In reply to a query, Deputy Director of BSTI Khulna Regional Office Md Abdul Mannan said, We cannot launch sudden anti-adulteration drives due to lack of necessary magistrates in the concerned administration. The magistrates are often tied up with routine duties which make them unavailable for anti-adulteration drives. Despite the shortage, they are trying their best to regularly conduct anti-adulteration drives in the division, he added.