India clamps down on illegal dye exports

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued yet another food hazard warning over food products contaminated with the potential carcinogen, Sudan I. But in India, the country's spices board reveals it is tackling the problem.

A seemingly non-stop flow of warnings regarding the illegal red dye have come from the FSA this year after the EU laid down emergency measures to block imports of chilli powder contaminated with Sudan I.

Under the Colours in Food Regulations 1995, the red dye is illegal, considered to be a genotoxic carcinogen and its presence, at any level, is not permitted in foodstuffs for any purpose.

The FSA this week issued a warning about the Map brand Tandoori Masala Spice Mix, distributed by Bestway Cash and Carry stores and previously on sale in various retail outlets in the UK.

'The company has undertaken a trade withdrawal of the affected product in 100g, 400g and 1kg packets, all best before end March 2004, and displayed point of sale notices in Bestway Cash and Carry stores,'​ said the FSA today.

When France discovered products contaminated with Sudan 1 in May this year, it immediately took interim protective measures and simultaneously informed the Commission and other Member States of the risk through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. The EU's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) reacted with a range of emergency control measures.

So how has India reacted? According to recent media reports in the country, the Spices Board of India has issued strict norms - that came into effect on 23 October - to be adopted for all chilli exports from the country.

'All chilli exporters have been directed to strictly adhere to the new norms. The exporters have been issued circulars suggesting that the board will have to be informed at least 48 hours before any chilli consignment is exported from anywhere in the country. The board would then inspect consignments and samples,'​ reported Spizes.com​.

Strong evidence to suggest that India is taking the bans seriously - notably from Europe and the United Arab Emirates - comes from the new rules that ensure exports will only be allowed after obtaining clearance from the Spices Board of India, after 'inspection and analysis, or on condition that the importer could immediately destroy the consignment in case the presence of any prohibited material is found on inspection'.

In addition, the raft of measures include a ruling that details regarding the consignment - source, destination and address of the consignee - have to be supplied by the exporters.

According to the Spizes.com report, following complaints the Spices Board of India has already taken immediate action against 'erring exporters' and has suspended the licences of five exporters - Gautam Exports, Baton Exports, Volga Masala & Spice Mills, Taha Enterprises and AK Export Corporation, all based in Mumbai.