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Listen to this siteMonday 22 December 2003
Category C: For action as necessary
Heads of Environmental Health and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware that Dea brand Harissa Hot Sauce has been found to be contaminated with the illegal dye, Sudan I.
Sudan I is not a permitted colour under the Colours in Food Regulations 1995. It is considered to be a genotoxic carcinogen and its presence, at any level, is not permitted in foodstuffs for any purpose. Dea brand Harissa Hot Sauce is manufactured in France by Conserves France and has been imported and distributed to various retail outlets in the United Kingdom by:
1. John & Pascalis LTD, Nectar House, 665 North Circular Road, Staples Corner, London NW2 7AX.
2. MAP Trading LTD, 2 Abbey Road, Park Royal London NW10 7BS (MAP Trading LTD have distributed the products through Bestway Cash and Carry stores).
3. Evans Gray & Hood LTD, 10-14 Hewett Street, London EC2A 3HA.
All three importers have undertaken trade withdrawals of both the140g and 400g tins of Dea Brand Harissa Hot Sauce with all best before dates up to and including 21/01/2006. Products with a best before date from 22/01/2006 are not affected.
Identification of the product:
Both the 140g and 400g sizes of Dea Brand Harissa Hot Sauce are sold in circular tins with a label that has a predominantly yellow background.
On the front of the tin the name Harissa is in red lettering near the top of the label with a blue palm tree below it on a white background and the DEA logo is in white lettering on a red background towards the bottom of the label.
There are also pictures of red chilli peppers on the label and Arabic lettering in white.
On the rear of the tin the product is described as SAUCE PIQUANTE, HOT SAUCE, SPAANSE PEPERPUREE and STAERK in red lettering on a yellow background. There is also an ingredients list in four languages, including English, in red and black lettering on a yellow background.
The minimum durability date is described as Best Before End and the date and batch code are embossed on the lid of the tin.
The manufacturers details, CONSERVES FRANCE B.P. 2002 30904 NIMES CEDEX 9 are also on the label in red lettering on a yellow background. To assist local authorities on correct identification of this product pictures can be viewed at the links below.
Actions to be taken by local authorities:
The product presents a health risk if consumed in sufficient quantity, and does not comply with the food safety requirements specified in the Food Safety Act 1990 due to contamination with Sudan I. In addition Sudan I is not a permitted colour.
Although the importers have all undertaken trade withdrawals there remains the possibility that some of the affected product may still be on sale in retail outlets or remain within the catering trade. If any of these products are found within their area, enforcement officers should ensure that they are withdrawn and destroyed, if necessary using powers under The Food Safety Act.
As the importers have not issued any press releases there remains the possibility that unused affected product is in consumers homes. Local authorities are therefore asked to consider providing local publicity at the next available opportunity to this issue.
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(Image 512KB) Dea brand Harissa Hot Sauce 140g Can View the can end stampDownload image
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