Poundworld fined for sale of 'danger' thermometers

Discount retailer Poundworld has been fined £5,000 for selling dangerously faulty digital thermometers and other medical items.

The chain continued to sell the thermometers despite warnings to take them off shelves last year, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said.

The AidFast, 1st Aid and Powerplast thermometers were discovered in several UK stores.The MHRA warned in April last year that an error of up to 0.5C could be significant, particularly to babies and small children, as consumers may not seek the medical attention required.

The thermometers were not CE-marked, which shows compliance with UK regulations, and were not accompanied by the appropriate warnings and instructions. The packaging did not give information about the maker, batch or serial number.

Other Poundworld items found not to comply with regulations included bandages, plasters and sterile dressings.

MHRA spokesman Peter Commins said: "By knowingly placing these products on to the market, Poundworld has shown a severe disregard for public health.

"The defective thermometers are not compliant with UK legislation, meaning there is no assurance they meet appropriate standards of safety."

Poundworld was also ordered to pay 9,000 costs.