Harmful, illegal colour in UK food products

Related tags European union Sudan iv Sudan

The list grows of food products containing the illegal carcinogenic
red dye sudan I. The UK food watchdog has given two separate food
hazard warnings this week about food contaminations.

The government-funded Food Standards Agency (FSA) said this week that the harmful dye had been detected in a spice mix as well as tinned chilli beans in chilli sauce.

"Laziza International Tandoori Masala BBQ Spice Mix has been found to have some batches contaminated with Sudan I and the related Sudan IV, and Epicure Chilli Beans in Chilli Sauce have also been found to be contaminated with Sudan I,"​ announced the FSA.

The recall, one of more than 200 to date in the UK, comes after a European clampdown earlier this year that saw Brussels declaring an emergency measure extending rules on the illegal carcinogenic red chemical dyes to include curry powder.

The rule extends the paper trail for ingredients, requiring that imports of chilli and chilli products - including curry powder - can only cross the EU border with proof they are free of the illegal chemical dyes - Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III or Scarlet Red (Sudan IV), classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The rulings extended tight measures already in place since June 2003 when France initally alerted the European Commission to traces of Sudan 1 found in chilli and chilli powder.

That the rules now include curry powder, found extensively in European food products, means more paperwork and potentially a surge in product recalls for the food industry.

The issue started in May 2003 with the discovery of Sudan 1 in chilli and chilli products, and since then, via feedback through Europe's Rapid Alert System, the Commission has identified more related substances.

In the UK alone, the food industry has recalled for destruction more than 200 products - ranging from pesto sauce to chicken tikka masala - from the supermarket shelves since July 2003 and enforcement of the new measures.

Related topics Policy Food Safety & Quality

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