Hertfordshire Trading Standards

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First report 22 Jun 2017•Latest report 22 Jun 2017

Reports, concerns and published responses

Reports over time

Reports naming this recipient by issue year.

* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.

Reports
1

Naming this recipient

Published responses
100%

Found for named reports

Concerns addressed
1

Across all linked responses

Stated actions
2

Described in responses

Concerns and recipient responses

Statements from Hertfordshire Trading Standards linked to the concerns in each report. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

  1. Hertfordshire

    AI-generated summary

    Linda Jean BARANOWSKI · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Linda Baranowski was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain, collapse, skin discolouration and multi-organ failure, and died on 25 February 2016 after treatment at several hospitals. The inquest identified an inflammatory response potentially linked to one or more dietary supplements, including slimming tablets, tea and body cream; the hot slimming cream was highlighted as likely to have contributed. The report noted that these products and similar products remained widely available.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Hertfordshire Trading Standards; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Continued sale and wide availability of slimming products capable of causing serious inflammatory harm

    Wider context from the report

    “The medical opinion at the inquest was that Linda Baranowski died as a result of ingesting or applying one, or a combination, of the following: • T5 diet strongest fat burner legal 30 capsules slimming weight loss pills detox • Slimming Chinese Green Tea weight loss detox burn fat herbal 30 bags • Hot Anti-Cellulite Balo slimming cream gel, chill 85ml helps burn fast • Himalayan Premium Green Tea pyramid bags Whilst I acknowledge that the precise effect of these supplements is not known, the role of the hot slimming cream in particular was highlighted by the consultant at the Specialist Burns Centre as being likely to have contributed to the fatal inflammatory response. It is my understanding that these products, and many products of a similar nature, are still on sale and widely available. ”
    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Follow through on the similar product’s labelling issues with the appropriate local Trading Standards service and supplier.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “On receipt of your report I instigated research by Hertfordshire Trading Standards Officers to gain an initial understanding as to the availability of the products referred to in your report, and those products of a similar nature. To this end a 'test purchase' was also carried out in relation to one similar product, and labelling issues with this product will be followed through with the appropriate local Trading Standards Service and supplier.”

    Source location

    2017-0341-Response-by-Hertfordshire-County-Council
    Page 1 · response
    Published 22 July 2017

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Liaise and work with national government agencies and regulators to examine further safety measures for food products, supplements and topical creams.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Hertfordshire Trading Standards therefore undertakes to further liaise and work with the lead national government agencies and regulators on the safety of food products, supplements and topical creams in examining what further can be done to address your concerns in relation to the listed products. Hertfordshire Trading Standards pledges to offer input into the development of a national strategy on this issue if required and which the Food Standards Agency (being the lead national agency on food safety matters), deems appropriate.”

    Source location

    2017-0341-Response-by-Hertfordshire-County-Council
    Page 1 · response
    Published 22 July 2017

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Nationwide product safety concerns require national consideration and coordination by government agencies and regulators rather than solely local action.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Our research has indicated that products of a similar kind and nature to those referred to in your report are available and accessible to consumers nationwide particularly over the internet, and we therefore consider that this issue requires national, rather than local consideration and coordination.”

    Source location

    2017-0341-Response-by-Hertfordshire-County-Council
    Page 1 · response
    Published 22 July 2017

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    National agencies should lead the coordinated approach to topical gel safety, with local trading standards responding to their direction.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “I note that one of the products; the Hot Anti-Cellulite Balo slimming cream gel chill 85ml is not a food product or supplement but a topical gel (not covered by the Food Standards Agency), and we would welcome and encourage a coordinated approach from colleagues at a national level led by the Food Standards Agency following their liaison with the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy covering general product safety in relation to such products. Hertfordshire Trading Standards will respond to their direction and suggestions as they develop.”

    Source location

    2017-0341-Response-by-Hertfordshire-County-Council
    Page 2 · response
    Published 22 July 2017

    Open published response
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026