Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards Service

30/10/2026

👤 Someone you've never met starts messaging you online. They seem friendly.

They share your interests. They want to be your friend. But are they really who they say they are? 🤔

Criminals often hide behind fake profiles to gain trust and gather personal information. Staying safe starts with being cautious about who you connect with online.

Join Young Friends Against Scams and learn how to spot the warning signs, stay safe online, and help others do the same.

Sign up now: www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/young-friends
Friends Against Scams

30/10/2026

⚠️ Product Recall Alert – HAMAX Buddy Baby Seat ⚠️

The product presents a risk of choking due to a detachable safety label on the harness strap.

Affected seats were sold between 28 December 2020 and 6 August 2026.

Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/mrcrwzs9
for Product Safety and Standards

29/10/2026

🚨 Food Allergy Alert - Emma Basic Curry Cubes Japanese Style (200g)

The Food Standards Agency has issued a recall because the product may contain milk which is not declared on the label. This poses a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.

Affected best before dates: 29 Dec 2026, 24 Feb 2027, 18 Mar 2027, 12 May 2027, 23 Jul 2027, 14 Sep 2027, 12 Oct 2027 and 26 Mar 2028.

If you have bought this product and have a milk allergy or intolerance, do not eat it. Return it to the store for a full refund.

Full details: https://alerts.food.gov.uk/article/6956

Check the latest food and allergy alerts: https://alerts.food.gov.uk/news-alerts

29/10/2026

☀️ Buying plug-in solar panels? Don’t take a chance with safety.

Plug-in solar panels are a lower cost way to generate electricity than rooftop solar panels. If you’re considering buying or using a plug-in solar panel system, follow these steps to help keep yourself and others safe.

Always buy from a trusted manufacturer or retailer. Poor-quality or counterfeit equipment may not meet UK safety standards and could be more likely to overheat or fail.

✔️ Look for UKCA or CE markings
✔️ Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
✔️ Never use extension leads or adaptors
✔️ Check your home and electrics are suitable before buying.

If something doesn’t look right, particularly when buying from an unfamiliar online retailer or marketplace, don’t risk it.

ℹ For more information see:
London Fire Brigade: https://tinyurl.com/yfj5a336
Energy Saving Trust: https://tinyurl.com/mpj7ayv

If you’re considering buying or using a plug-in solar panel system, follow our advice to help keep yourself and others safe.

29/10/2026

❗Food Recall Alert - Arla Protein Pudding Products❗

Food Standards Agency has issued notice of the recall of various Arla Protein Pudding products because they may contain glass.

Affected products include:

• Arla Protein Pudding, Chocolate (200g) Best before: • 11 January 2027 • 18 January 2027 • 20 January 2027 • 6 February 2027

• Arla Protein Pudding, Salted Caramel (200g) Best before: • 21 January 2027 • 23 January 2027 • 31 January 2027 • 2 February 2027

• Arla Protein Pudding, Vanilla Cookie (200g) Best before: • 25 January 2027

If you have bought any of the above products, do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.

Find out the full details at https://alerts.food.gov.uk/article/6954

Check out all the latest food & allergy alerts here https://alerts.food.gov.uk/news-alerts

28/10/2026

⚠️ Mattress Cold Callers reported in the Narborough Area ⚠️

Leicestershire residents are being reminded to be cautious after reports of an individual driving a white van calling door-to-door in the Narborough area offering mattresses for sale.

Cold calling is not illegal, but aggressive or misleading behaviour is.

Here’s how to stay safe:

✅If you aren't expecting anyone, use a door chain or don’t answer the door.

✅ Always ask for official identification and verify it independently.

✅ Do not share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers.

✅ Don’t feel pressured - you’re under no obligation to listen or buy anything. It’s OK to say no and close the door.

✅ Display a ‘No Cold Callers’ sign - many reputable businesses will respect this.

✅ Don’t hand over money on the spot – always take time to think.

✅ Know your rights – if you buy something on the doorstep, you may have a 14-day cancellation period.

✅ Talk to neighbours - sharing information helps protect the whole community.

✅ Be alert to distraction techniques - scammers may use conversation or confusion to gain access to your home or personal details.

❗ If a trader won’t leave when asked, or behaves aggressively, call 101 or 999 in an emergency.

📞 To report concerns, contact Citizens Advice:
📞 0808 223 1133
💻 www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Or report direct to us via our website:
💻 https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/business-and-consumers/trading-standards

28/10/2026

🎃 It’s nearly Halloween… but don’t be scared! 👻

Our Food Officers are here to help take the fright out of food standards and allergen management.

Whether you need advice on:

✅ Allergen management systems
✅ Food labelling requirements
✅ Food information requirements
✅ Best practice for your food business

We're happy to provide guidance and support to help you keep your customers informed and safe.

💻 For further information visit - www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/food-and-drink/food-allergens-and-intolerance

27/10/2026

🚜 Our Animal Health Officers have been out on farm visits recently.

ℹ️ Officers attend farms and check for compliance with health and welfare legal requirements which relate to all farmed animals such as sheep, goats, cattle and pigs - even at smallholdings or when kept as pets.

💻 Guidance on the welfare of sheep can be found here 👉 www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-recommendations-for-the-welfare-of-livestock-sheep/sheep-and-goats-welfare-recommendations

26/10/2026

📣 Our Trading Standards officers recently held a talk on doorstep crime and rogue traders at Harborough Community Church in Market Harborough.

ℹ️ The talk focused on how to avoid falling victim to cold-callers, rogue traders and scammers on the doorstep.

🚩 Those attending were given insight into the ‘red flags’ and ‘warning signs’ of such traders.

As always, there were plenty of freebies given away, including cold calling stickers, security timers for lights and personal attack alarms.

To report a matter, visit:
Citizens Advice:
📞 0808 223 1133
💻 www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Or report direct to us via our website:
🌐 https://tinyurl.com/Report-It-Here

23/10/2026

🚩 Spot the Signs of Illicit To***co 🚩

Not all to***co products are legal. Illicit to***co is often cheaper, but it can be unsafe, unregulated, and supports criminal activity.

This image highlights some of the common things to look out for that may indicate a to***co product is illicit.

🚩 Foreign health warnings

🚩 No picture health warnings

🚩 Packaging that isn't the standard plain brown/green design

🚩 Poor quality or blurred printing

🚩 Missing Track & Trace code

🚩 Incorrectly-sized health warnings

🚩 Misspelt brand names or packaging errors

🚩 Foreign tax or excise markings

🚩 Sold significantly below the normal retail price

If you spot any of these, the product may not be legitimate.

Illicit to***co harms local businesses, avoids taxes that fund public services, and can make to***co more easily accessible to children.

💻 Report illegality direct to us via our website:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/47tksdfb