Dabur India Ltd has agreed to remove terms such as “anti-inflammatory,” “anti-bacterial,” and “analgesic” from the packaging of its Meswak and Herb1 Anti-Bacterial Toothpaste Tulsi by June 2025. The decision follows concerns raised by Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the legality of these claims.
The Bombay High Court acknowledged Dabur’s commitment to modifying the labels and disposed of the company’s plea on March 26. The regulatory dispute began with a January 29 directive from the FDA Commissioner, instructing the company to revise its labels to comply with legal standards. While the FDA noted that the toothpaste formulations posed no health risks, it deemed the marketing claims misleading under existing regulations.
During court proceedings, Dabur’s legal representatives confirmed that the company had already begun the process of redesigning its packaging. The new labels are expected to be in circulation by June 2025, following adjustments in design, printing, and distribution. In the meantime, the court permitted the sale of existing stock until May 31, but stipulated that no toothpaste bearing the disputed claims could be marketed from June 1 onward.
