A company and its directors found to be selling hair dye and henna products which contains a banned substance that can cause seizures and breathing difficulties have been fined almost £8,000.
Tower Hamlets Council’s Trading Standards Officers visited Lalbagh Halal Foods Store, 7 Market Way, Chrisp Street Market and seized 150 cosmetic products including hair dye and henna products.
The seized items were in breach of selling regulations as they did not have ingredients on them and did not have instructions for use or disposal.
Some were also found to contain the banned substance barium peroxide, which is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. It can also affect the nervous system and exposure could cause hypokalaemia which can result in cardiac and muscular disorders.
The company which runs the store, Topbase Ltd, and one of its two directors Alkas Miah, pleaded guilty on 13 December 2022 to nine offences under the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013.
The other director, Hussain Ali, pleased not guilty but was found guilty on 28 March.
They were sentenced on 13 June. Hussain Ali was fined £1,125 and ordered to pay a £112 victim surcharge and £1,500 in costs. Alkas Miah was fined £750 and ordered to pay £75 victim surcharge and £700 in costs. The company was fined £2,000, plus £181 in victim surcharge and £1,400 in costs.
They had previously had a warning letter and guidance in 2016 when incorrectly labelled cosmetics were seen in the shop.
Cllr Kabir Hussain, Cabinet Member for the Environment and the Climate Emergency, said:
“Selling products containing banned substances will not be tolerated in our borough. These products could have been dangerous to buyers and it is vital that they are taken off shelves to protect our residents.
“Well done to the council teams for taking action against these sellers."
Posted on Wednesday 28th June 2023