A company which imported and sold 2,994 unsafe hotplates from China has pleaded guilty.
Safa Food 1 of Hayes, Middlesex, was ordered to pay £28,043.74. This followed 10 charges under electrical safety regulations.
Investigations began after a complaint about an unsafe item on sale in Colchester. Essex Trading Standards visited and noticed several electric hotplates had no UK plugs.
An officer seized one hotplate and ordered the shop owner to remove the others. The hotplate was of poor construction with serious risks of burning and electrocution.
Trading Standards found the supplier, Safa Food 1, was relying on a Chinese test report. This did not cover British electrical safety standards.
The supplier also did not respond to a complaint from a shop in Rotherham eight months ago. The shop reported a hotplate had tripped its electrical system.
Hillingdon Trading Standards seized 68 further hotplates outside the supplier's premises in Hayes.
The magistrates told Safa Food 1 to always consult experts about the safety of the items it imports.
Councillor Mark Durham, our Cabinet Member responsible for Essex Trading Standards, said: "There’s a reason why we have electrical safety regulations. Businesses must be vigilant about where they get their products from lest they be responsible for electrocutions and fires.
“The hard work of both Essex Trading Standards and Hillingdon Trading Standards, as well as the eagle-eyed Colchester shopper, has stopped this company from continuing its negligence.”
You can report any concerns to Essex Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.