London,
22
July
2010
|
23:00
Europe/London

Trading Standards plant food warning

Following national Home Office guidance, Hackney Council s Trading Standards Team are warning businesses as well as consumers in Hackney about the product Naphyrone, currently marketed for sale as NRG-1 or Energy 1. The ”legal high” is misleadingly described as "plant food" or "pond cleaner" in order to get around safety restrictions on products for human consumption.

These products can cause harm to the young and the use of nephyrone has been linked to psychiatric problems and potential heart and blood vessel damage.
Because of its potency, naphyrone has considerable potential for misuse and potential overdoses. NRG-1 products often contain a range of class B drugs like methedrone. In some instances, they may not contain any naphyrone at all.

Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said: “Naphyrone is labelled as plant food because it is too dangerous to be eaten. Parents need to warn their children about these products, young people need to be made aware of the dangers and retailers should be checking their stock to ensure that they are not selling products that can be harmful if misused.”

Hackney Trading Standards Officers are planning to visit businesses such as plant and gardening shops, where the "legal highs" may be being sold. They will, in the first instance, be advising businesses of the potential dangers of these products when misused.

Businesses or residents who see these products on sale or are concerned about a product they may be selling, should contact: Hackney Trading Standards on 020 8356 4937 or the Police.