Hundreds of bottles of illegal hand sanitiser seized

MORE than 750 illegally-sold hand sanitisers have been seized from a Southall business, with some bottles claiming to ‘kill germs and bacteria’ but not listing its ingredients.

Ealing enforcement officers cracked down on the wholesaler, in the Bridge Road area, which was also selling the products with no importer details, which is against the law.

Council bosses have vowed to stop rogue traders exploiting the coronavirus pandemic, and urged residents to be vigilant over buying potentially botched products.

Any cosmetic products in the UK must show importer details and ingredients, otherwise there is a “good chance” the items have not been tested and do not meet UK standards, the council explained.

Cllr Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell, cabinet member for community safety and inclusion, said: “It is a sad reality that unscrupulous traders are trying to exploit fears about COVID-19 to prey on vulnerable members of the public by selling hand-sanitiser which does not meet legal standards and therefore carries the risk of being ineffective.

“We are continuing to work hard to prevent members of the public from being scammed by rogue traders who want to capitalise on the current situation. We will prosecute anyone found selling these illegal items as part of our commitment to making Ealing safer.”

Ealing’s trading standards department is believed to have received 50 complaints since restrictions were put in place on businesses to deal with the crisis.

Main concerns have been over non-essential businesses staying open, and the lack of social distancing measures in stores permitted to be open.

Firms have also reached out for advice.

It is understood most enforcement action has been taken through advice and conversations, but one pub was handed a prohibition notice as it continued to stay open for some regulars.

It is believed that overall the business community in Ealing is complying with the restrictions in place.

Last month, council leader Julian Bell urged businesses to act responsibly during the crisis.

He said: “The vast majority of our local businesses are a credit to the borough and are working hard to provide vital supplies to residents and I thank them for their tireless efforts.

“I have no hesitation in condemning the small minority of retailers who are taking advantage of this situation by raising prices of food and other in-demand items and other irresponsible actions.

“It is critical that residents’ understandable anxiety and concerns are not exacerbated by such practices and that their trust and confidence in local businesses is maintained.

“Please help us to make sure we stamp out any profiteering so that your customers can have confidence in all businesses in the borough.”