Horse urine perfume: why online bargains may be dangerous

Horse Urine Perfume: Why Online Bargains May Pose Risks

As consumers search for affordable items online, they may unknowingly purchase counterfeit goods that include products like perfumes tainted with horse urine. The proliferation of fake items is fueling organized criminal activities, while social media and digital platforms are amplifying the reach of these deceptive offerings. Influencers are often involved in promoting such products, drawing in younger buyers eager for cost-effective choices.

Government Aims to Strengthen Online Safety Measures

Consumer advocates have highlighted that beyond counterfeit goods, a variety of hazardous items—such as balloons and chargers—are also appearing on e-commerce sites and digital marketplaces. In response, the government is considering new regulations to hold online retailers accountable, mirroring the responsibilities of traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Major platforms claim they are actively removing unsafe and pirated products, yet rising costs and economic pressures are driving more shoppers to seek budget deals.

“Cosmetics and perfume, when we had some tested, have had horse urine in them so you don’t want to be putting that on your skin,” said Helen Barnham, head of enforcement campaigns at the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

The IPO, tasked with managing intellectual property rights, notes that the surge in online shopping has provided criminals with a more efficient way to distribute counterfeit goods. Barnham emphasized that while the public is generally drawn to these products, younger audiences are especially susceptible due to their preference for low-price items. Social media and online marketplaces make it simpler for them to locate desired products.

Examples of Hazardous Counterfeit Items

Behind closed doors in Swansea, trading standards officers revealed vast quantities of fake goods stacked floor to ceiling. These included Labubus toys with detachable eyes posing choking risks, Super Mario items containing harmful chemicals in licking suction cups, and K-Pop Demon Hunters dolls that are both counterfeit and potentially unsafe. Fake Crocs are hidden in bags, and counterfeit Pandora jewelry appears authentic until the packaging is opened.

Other concerns involve extendable telescopic ladders that failed safety tests, according to The Ladder Association. Peter Bennett, the association’s leader, warned that these ladders “snap” when they malfunction. Kerri Atherton from the British Toy and Hobby Association expressed worries about substandard toys from abroad, which bypass UK safety standards. Which? investigations uncovered items like fire-hazard energy-saving plugs and suffocation-risk baby sleeping bags.

“Major online platforms are working hard to protect customers by removing unsafe and counterfeit goods from sale,” said Inga Becker-Hansen, product safety policy adviser at the British Retail Consortium. “However, the responsibility for consumer safety sits with the whole supply chain—from manufacturers and importers through to online marketplaces.”

Last year, the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 was enacted, establishing a foundation for targeting dangerous products sold online. Now, the government is refining its approach through consultations on secondary legislation, which will define enforcement tools and consequences under the law. Consumer protection minister Kate Dearden stated: “These reforms are about making our product safety system fit for the modern world—shutting loopholes, clamping down on unsafe sales, and giving responsible businesses the certainty they need to grow.”