The Hindu Business Line : Now, Wipro's `baby' gets Maharashtra FDA's notice

THE misbranding of `baby' oil issue took on a more serious overtone as the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a notice to one more company, Wipro, regarding the composition of its baby oil.

Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, the FMCG arm of Wipro Ltd, sells its infant range products under the Wipro Baby Soft brand name.

Confirming that the notice had been issued late this week, the FDA Commissioner, Mr A. Ramakrishnan, told Business Line that the issue was similar to the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) case of misbranding.

Only early last week, the FDA had told J&J to stop labelling its oil as a `baby' product, since the base was light liquid paraffin oil, a mineral oil believed to be unfit for babies. J&J had been given a fortnight to respond.

There is data available to show that paraffin oil causes reactions in babies, he said. The regulatory authority is also monitoring other `baby' oils in the market, including products from Emami, he said.

Interestingly, the Maharashtra FDA's action has spurred some concern regarding the J&J product in China as well, according to reports from a Chinese news agency.

The domestic baby products market is an estimated at Rs 200 crore, with players such as Dabur, Emami, J&J and Wipro.

Meanwhile, a Wipro spokesperson told Business Line that the company had not received a notice from the Maharashtra FDA. However, the spokesperson said that while the company used liquid paraffin oil, it did declare this information on the label of its baby oil.

Further, the official pointed out that the company had not violated any law and that it had got a valid licence from the Maharashtra FDA.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Embraer, SAAB shortlisted for IAF's early warning system

For Lucent, India is outstanding

Sugar mills in UP begin paying cane arrears

IT firms vie to offer VAT software

Wal-Marts, JC Penneys making orders bigger

Vanishing cos: SEBI issues notices to merchant bankers

Now, Wipro's `baby' gets Maharashtra FDA's notice