Food Standards Agency
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Category C: For action as deemed necessary
Ref: 38/2004
Zomi Palm Oil bottled for Jumbo UK Ltd and Wanis Ltd has been found to be contaminated with the illegal dye, Sudan IV.
Sudan IV 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.
The affected product was manufactured in Ghana by Kokwe Farms Ltd, PO Box 15849, Accra, North Ghana and was imported by Jumbo UK Ltd, Unit 4A, Golden House, Waterden Road, London E15 2EE. Jumbo UK Ltd bottled the oil for its’ own brand Zomi Palm Oil and for Tropical Sun Brand for Wanis Ltd, Golden House, Waterden Road E15 2EE.
Most of the product has been sold directly to the public from Jumbo UK Ltd and Wanis Ltd through their retail outlets but they have also distributed it to cash and carry stores and retail outlets in England.
Identification of the products.
1. Jumbo UK Ltd. Zomi palm oil is bottled in a 1 litre opaque plastic bottle with a blue screw cap. The words Zomi Pure Palm Oil from Ghana Bottled for Jumbo UK Ltd, Waterden Road, E15 and a telephone number and email address are all in yellow lettering on a red background.
The 'best before' date is December 2006.
2. Tropical Sun Zomi palm oil is bottled in a 2 litre opaque plastic container with a red screw top. The words TROPICAL SUN, ZOMI, packed for Wanis Ltd, Golden House, Waterden Road, E15 2EE are in black lettering on a yellow background. The 'best before end' date is 12.2005
To assist local authorities in correct identification of these products, a picture of each can be viewed from the links at the foot of this page.
Actions to be taken by local authorities
These products present a health risk if consumed in sufficient quantity, and do not comply with the food safety requirements specified in the Food Safety Act 1990 due to contamination with Sudan IV. In addition Sudan IV is not a permitted colour.
If any of these products are found within their area, enforcement officers should ensure that they are withdrawn from sale and destroyed, if necessary using powers under The Food Safety Act 1990. Jumbo UK Ltd and Wanis Ltd have both undertaken trade withdrawals and have displayed point of sale notices in their retail outlets in the London Borough of Hackney however the withdrawals have not been successful and there remains the possibility that unused affected product is in consumers' homes. Local authorities are therefore asked to consider providing local publicity on this issue at the next available opportunity.
It is essential that all non unitary authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions.
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(Image 199KB) Tropical Sun palm oil container View the product packagingDownload image
(Image 162KB) Tropical Sun palm oil label View the product labelDownload image
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