Shop had skin cream for sale despite ban

A company and its director have admitted selling a potentially dangerous skin cream at a store, despite it being banned for sale over the counter.

Super Soraderm was on sale at M&T Supermarket in Caldmore Road, Walsall, two years after the product was banned, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

Investigators found 54 boxes of the cream on the premises ready to go on the market, it was alleged. The court was told it should only have been issued via a doctor's prescription.

M&T Supermarket Ltd pleaded guilty to selling the product on May 29, 2010, and possessing 54 boxes of it with intent to supply on June 24 of that year.

Its sole director Mohammed Rashid, of Dams Road, Walsall, admitted the same offences through "consent, connivance or neglect".

Judge Martin Walsh said: "A letter had been sent out in 2008 indicating that this item should not be sold to the public. The defendant received the letter and responded that there would be a cessation of supply of the item."

Mr Ben Mills, prosecuting, said: "The product was still being sold in 2010."

The court heard the cream contained a "potent" steroid. Mr Mills added: "There is serious risk of harm to the public."

Rashid, aged 54, was remanded on unconditional bail until September 14 for a pre-sentence report.

It is understood there is no specific case of anyone suffering after buying the cream, used by some eczema and psoriasis sufferers, from the store.

There were reports of concern after Birmingham Childrens Hospital treated six children suffering from a variety of skin and eye complaints after using unlicensed Super Soraderm that had been imported from Pakistan.

This came after the offences committed by M&T Supermarket and Rashid and was not linked to them.