What's New

Trading Standards law can change at any time and there are certain aspects that you may find particularly interesting. Also look out for the latest scams that may affect you.

This section will be constantly changing so please make sure that you check back with us to find out the latest issues for Trading Standards.

National Consumer Week 2010 runs from the 20 to the 24 of September. This year's theme is safe online shopping. The event aims to raise consumer awarness about the protection the law provides to online shoppers.

The event is co-ordinated by the Trading Standards Institute and to kick off preceedings you are invited to take part in an online quiz, with the chance of winning a £25 M&S Voucher.

Advice on all your shopping rights can be found by contacting Consumer Direct.

A survey into the food supplied to children at pre-school nurseries has shown that there is some room for improvement, and raised a few questions about the food children are given at home.

Trading Standards have recently worked with twelve volunteer nurseries in the county as part of a national survey. Typical portions of food and drink were weighed and analysed, by Leicestershire Scientific Services, every day for a week, at each nursery.

With the help of a nutritionist, the Trading Standards food team were able to show that while the nutritional content was generally good, the portion sizes were sometimes too large, and contained more salt than is recommended. The use of foods such as processed meat products, including sausages, gravy and packet sauces and bread products were largely responsible for the high level of salt.

Nationally the survey showed that nurseries sometimes come under pressure from parents to offer low-fat options, which are not necessarily the best thing for busy children who burn a lot of energy. Fruit and vegetables are very important, but so are energy-giving carbohydrates. The survey suggested that the diet necessary for preventing obesity in adults and older children is being provided for toddlers, perhaps at home as well. But toddlers requirements are very different to those of their older brothers and sisters.

A scam is a scheme designed to con you out of your cash.

There's a scam out there for everyone. If you let down your guard and think that you won't be fooled, then you too could become a victim.

For further information on how to stop yourself from being a victim of scams and how to get advice if you think you have been scammed, see our Scams - What you need to know page.

We also have a page which lists the latest scams operating in the Leicestershire Area.

Trading Standards provide details of safety news items issued by manufacturers, distributors and retailers. They are often product recalls on toys or electrical equipment, but can include items of food.

The company will provide details of which products are affected and what to do if you have bought one.

See the Product Recalls page for the latest information.

The Trading Standards team regularly issue press releases to inform businesses and consumers of the latest developments within the law or will also inform of the latest scam.

Please visit the following page to view the latest Trading Standards Press Releases.

About to make a purchase or pay for services? Check this section first - it contains guidance and useful information about what to bear in mind before you buy.

For advice and guidance before you buy, please see the Pre-shopping Advice page.

If you are thinking about taking out a credit card or need some key questions answering before borrowing money then check out this section first.

The Credit & Debt Advice page focuses on money and credit questions and concerns to help you make the right choices for your situation. If you want to know what sources of help and support there are then please see the Help with Debt page.

Business Matters is an occasional business newsletter. Designed to help the local business community in Leicestershire, Business Matters is packed with up-to-date news and advice.

View the Business Matters page for the latest issue.

Consumer Affairs is a newsletter that contains up-to-date news for consumers. Each issue contains information about product safety recalls.

Our aim is to promote a fair and safe trading environment for the people of Leicestershire. Whether you are a consumer or a business you are equally important to us.

View the Consumer Affairs page for the latest issue.

The Trading Standards department write articles for many publications, the majority of which are our in-house material.

You can view the most recent Trading Standards Articles on the dedicated pages