The owners of R&T Cosmetics beauty store, based on Dagenham Heathway, have been fined more than £14,500 for selling ‘dangerous’ skin-whitening cosmetics. 



Trading Standards officers from Barking and Dagenham Council visited the premises in May 2017 and seized 360 products, including some products containing hydroquinone, a skin-bleaching substance banned from over-the-counter sale in the UK. 



The labels on the substances failed to meet strict EU regulations and, in some instances, listed incorrect ingredients.



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



Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “I’m pleased we have been able to take these dangerous skin-lightening products off the shelves. 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.”



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