A woman from north London has been fined £16,000 after being caught selling toxic skin-lightening products that are banned in the UK.
Ofure Patience Ehizode admitted selling products containing dangerous chemicals known to cause serious health problems, including permanent skin damage and skin cancer.
She sold the products through her business EllaGold Ltd.
Many skin-lightening products sold in the UK are legal, but councils have warned that a growing number of rogue retailers are selling illegal creams that can damage the skin.
Ms Ehizode’s property was searched by trading standards officers from Barnet Council following a tip-off from Swedish authorities that she was selling cosmetics that included banned ingredients.
They discovered 30 bags of evidence containing over 3,500 products, the largest seizure of such items in the borough for many years.
Some of the products were found to contain hydroquinone, which causes premature aging, weakening of the skin, liver damage and skin cancer.
The Local Government Association has described hydroquinone as the “biological equivalent of paint stripper” as it can remove the top layer of the skin.
Appearing at Willesden Magistrates Court last Thursday, Ms Ehizode was given a 12-month community order including 100 hours of unpaid work and a £16,384 fine.
She had earlier pleaded guilty to 15 counts of breaching Cosmetics Products Enforcement Regulations 2013 on behalf of herself and the company, of which she is the sole director.
Cllr Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council, said: “Illegal skin-lightening products are highly dangerous and can cause serious health problems. We’re determined to protect our residents and ensure those caught selling them are brought to justice.
“I’d like to thank our trading standards team for taking robust action in this case and sending a clear message that selling these products will not be tolerated.”
Last December, trading standards officers from Havering Council seized around £21,000 worth of skin lightening products from a retailer.
