Dagenham cosmetics store fined £14,500 for selling “dangerous” skin-whitening products

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The owners of a cosmetics store in Dagenham have been fined £14,500.

R&T Cosmetics, based in Dagenham Heathway, were found selling “dangerous” skin-whitening products. 

Trading Standards officers seized 360 products from them in May 2017, including some containing hydroquinone, a skin-bleaching substance banned from over-the-counter sale in the UK.

They also uncovered labels which listed incorrect ingredients and failed to meet strict EU regulations. 

Store’s owners, Mr Rotimi Oyewole and Mrs Taiwo Oyewole, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Cosmetics Product Enforcement Regulations 2013, at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, 29 April. 

360 products were seized by Trading Standards officers

“I’m pleased we have been able to take these dangerous skin-lightening products off the shelves,” said Councillor Margaret Mullane.

“Public safety should never be compromised in the pursuit of profit, and these cosmetics could have caused serious harm to our residents

“The regulations are there to keep people safe and the council will not hesitate to take action against businesses who try and flout the law.”

Some products were found to be incorrectly labelled

The couple were fined £6,500 and ordered to pay £8,010 to the council.