Alto Ionio Cosentino: Large-scale seizure of cosmetics due to chemical risk

The military of the Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza of Cosenza has seized over 56,000 cosmetic products containing molecules that are harmful to the health of consumers. These products were being sold at various commercial establishments in the Alto Ionio Cosentino, in Crotone, and Rome. The investigation has enabled the reconstruction of the supply chain of cosmetic products. This supply chain has been traced from commercial establishments in the Cosenza area to a cosmetics production laboratory and a distribution centre in Rome. This has resulted in the seizure of tens of thousands of items, including body creams, nail products, and hair products containing the substances ‘trimethylolpropane triacrylate,’ ‘benzophenone,’ ‘theophylline’, and ‘pentasodium pentetate.’ These substances are banned by the European Union from 1 December 2023, as they are considered carcinogenic and toxic to fertility, with a serious risk to the safety and health of consumers. Six individuals have been referred to the relevant judicial authority. The Guardia di Finanza has successfully implemented the ‘Safety Gate’ system, a cutting-edge telematics solution that facilitates rapid information exchange between Member States and the European Union. This system plays a crucial role in the reporting of potentially hazardous products, ensuring the safety of consumers and the smooth functioning of the internal market.