A Gorton couple have been hit with a bill of more than £2,700 after being caught selling ‘extremely dangerous’ illegal skin-lightening creams.

Gholahal and Comfort Akinbode, owners of Oyin Tropical Foods, flogged beauty products containing banned chemicals.

The creams, purportedly produced in the Ivory Coast and marketed as ‘Nature Secréte’, contain a substance called hydroquinone, which has been banned in the UK since 2001.

Experts say long term use of hydroquinone can have serious side effects, including damage to the skin, kidneys, liver and nerves.

NHS chiefs advise people to avoid any product that lists the chemical as an ingredient, unless prescribed by a doctor.

Mr and Mrs Akinbode appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court last week, where they admitted possession of the products with intent to supply.

They were each fined £450 and ordered to pay court costs of £911 apiece.

The illegal goods were forfeited for destruction.

When questioned by officers, they could not say who had supplied the creams.

Speaking to the M.E.N, Mr. Akinbode said: “We’re the victims of the people who go shop to shop and sell this stuff.

“People come from Birmingham and London. They target the small businesses, the African shops, and don’t give the correct information.”

Manchester magistrates' court

Manchester council bosses were unable to comment on these claims, but said Mr and Mrs Akinbode had been previously warned about similar types of products, but continued to sell the creams at their Gorton shop.

Last year, a BBC investigation identified 13 shops across London, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester selling illegal skin-lightening creams.

Of those, six were prosecuted.

Manchester council’s executive member for neighbourhoods Rabnawaz Akbar said: “After ignoring warnings from our officers, these unscrupulous individuals sought to profit from the sale of goods which are known to be extremely dangerous, so it is quite right that they’ve been ordered to pay the penalty.

“Businesses who have been warned or previously prosecuted for trading in these dangerous products will continue to be monitored and we won’t hesitate to take action to protect Manchester residents from harm.”