Dabur Undertakes Before Bombay High Court To Discontinue Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Bacterial Labels On Toothpaste

On 29 January 2025, the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Govt. of Maharashtra, directed Dabur to remove the said labels from their toothpastes so as to comply with the statutory provisions under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940, subject to which the restricted stock could be released. The order noted that the claims in the label were legally incorrect, however, it was not hazardous to health.

The Commissioner had further stated Dabur should obtain a bond the retrieval of the stock distributed across India with corrections on the label and the restricted stock should be released.

On 26 March, Dabur India submitted before the Court that it would to withdraw and discontinue using of phrases “anti-inflammatory” on product 'Dabur Meswak Toothpaste' Toothpaste' and “anti-bacterial” and “analgesic” on product 'Dabur Herb' Anti Bacterial Toothpaste Tulsi'.

A division bench of Justice G. S. Kulkarni and Justice Advait M. Sethna accepted Dabur's statement that it would remove the said labels. It stated that with effect from June 2025, the product ought not to be manufactured or sold with the said labels either on the box or on the products.

The Court also stated that the stocks forming subject matter of the impugned order of approximately Rs. 1 crore to be utilized on or before 31 May 2025 and the same approximately to be utilized on or before 31 May 2025 and same shall not be sold in the market with effect from 1 June 2025.

The Court thus disposed of the petition.

Case title: Dabur India Ltd vs. State of Maharashtra & Ors. (WRIT PETITION NO. 2131 OF 2025)

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Bom) 122