FDA seizes 5,040 bottles of hair growth oil worth over Rs 50 lakh from Nashik salon

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized 5,040 bottles of Ayurvedic hair growth oil from a beauty salon in Nashik. The seized stock is valued at Rs 50,34,960. The oil was being sold as VS Hair Growth Oil.

According to the FDA, the oil was being promoted on Instagram and Facebook. The advertisements claimed that it could grow hair even on a bald head.

The FDA's Nashik division had received a confidential tip-off, and the team traced the business on that basis. It was operating as VS New Fashion Zone from Shop No. 9 in Rupal Apartment, Vise Mala, Sahajeevan Colony, on College Road in Nashik. A beauty salon and an imitation jewellery shop run from the same premises.

Each 100 ml bottle of the oil carried a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 999. The label said only that it was marketed by VS New Fashion Zone, Nashik, along with the batch number, manufacturing date and price.

The packaging did not carry the name and address of the actual manufacturer. It also did not show a manufacturing licence number, which is mandatory.

FDA officials inspected the premises on November 5 in the presence of independent witnesses (panchas). Salon owner Yogesh Bhagat could not produce a manufacturing licence or any other legal permission required for this Ayurvedic product. The entire stock of batch number VS 1984 was then seized under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The batch is said to have been made in September 2026.

Officials have taken samples of the hair oil. Samples of other products found at the salon have also been kept for laboratory testing. The investigation is now focused on who actually made the oil and where it was prepared.

The FDA has cautioned the public against falling for social media advertisements that promise to cure baldness, grow hair or reduce weight. Buyers should check the manufacturer's name, address and licence number on the label before purchase. Complaints about any suspicious product can be made to the nearest FDA office or on the toll-free number 1800-222-365.