Wednesday 1 July 2009

Illegal chemical dye found in chilli products in the UK

Thursday 31 July 2003

Ref: 2003/0397

The Food Standards Agency today warned that some food products sold in the UK have been found to contain chilli powder illegally contaminated with the dye Sudan I, a chemical which could cause cancer. The Agency and local authorities are working to ensure that these products are removed from sale.

David Statham, Director of Food Standards and Enforcement, said: 'There should not be any Sudan I in food. We have already identified some relishes, chutneys and seasonings that people should avoid and our investigations are on-going. There is no immediate threat of illness and those most at risk would be people eating contaminated products regularly over a long time. Anyone who has one of these products at home should throw it away and shops should not be selling them.

'Not all chilli powder, nor all products with chilli in them, are affected. Fresh chilli is not affected, nor are new supplies of chilli powder because checks at ports are now ensuring that it tests negative for Sudan I before it is allowed into the country.'

The Agency is asking companies to withdraw and recall contaminated products as soon as they are identified. Both retail and catering products have been identified. Food Hazard Warnings have today been sent to all local authorities with details of all the products implicated so far. Updates will follow if further products emerge from the on-going investigations.

The contaminated chilli powder has been imported from India, where it would appear certain producers have been adulterating their product with the red dye. The Agency was notified earlier this month by the European Commission (EC) that some products contaminated with Sudan I that had been found in France had been produced in the UK. The French findings have led to a trail of investigations into a number of UK companies and products using chilli powder from the Indian companies identified by the EC as the source of the adulterated chilli powder. Initial tests on some of these products have produced positive results for Sudan I and the Agency is acting on these results.

Under a new EC Decision, which came into force yesterday, cargoes of dried and crushed or ground chilli coming into any EU Member State must now be accompanied by a certificate showing they have been tested and found to be free of Sudan I. Any consignment that does not have a certificate will be detained for sampling and analysis. Port officials can also test any other food products. Anything containing Sudan I will be seized and destroyed. Random sampling is also being undertaken by local authorities. All products found to contain Sudan I must be seized and destroyed.

The following products have so far either tested positive for Sudan I or have been withdrawn from sale by the companies on a precautionary basis:

Manufacturer
Product and description
Size
Best before dates on affected products
B.E. International Foods
Rajah Tandoori Masala - seasoning sold in packets & tins
100g
Products with any best before end date of up until 18 July 2005 have been withdrawn
B.E. International Foods
Rajah Tandoori Masala - seasoning sold in packets
400g
Products with any best before end date of up until 18 July 2005 have been withdrawn
B.E. International Foods
Rajah Tandoori Masala - seasoning sold in packets
1kg
Products with any best before end date of up until 18 July 2005 have been withdrawn
B.E. International Foods
Rajah Tandoori Masala - seasoning sold in tubs
8kg
Products with any best before end date of up until 18 July 2005 have been withdrawn
B.E. International Foods
Rajah Jerk Seasoning - sold in packets
100g
Products with any best before end date of up until 18 July 2005 have been withdrawn
B.E. International Foods
Rajah Chilli & Lemon Seasoning - sold in packets
100g
Products with any best before end date of up until 18 July 2005 have been withdrawn
B.E. International Foods
Rajah Oriental Noodle Seasoning - sold in packets
100g
Products with any best before end date of up until 18 July 2005 have been withdrawn
B.E. International Foods
Rajah Chicken Seasoning - sold in packets
100g
Products with any best before end date of up until 18 July 2005 have been withdrawn
B.E. International Foods
Rajah Chicken Seasoning - sold in packets
400g
Products with any best before end date of up until 18 July 2005 have been withdrawn
B.E. International Foods
Rajah Chicken Seasoning - in packets
1kg
Products with any best before end date of up until 18 July 2005 have been withdrawn
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Red Pepper & Aubergine Relish - in jars
280g
Products with a best before end date of up until 01.02.2006 are being withdrawn
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Hot Mango Chutney - in jars
300g
Products with a best before end date of up until 01.02.2006 are being withdrawn
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Flaming Hot Chutney - in jars
300g
Products with a best before end date of up until 01.02.2006 are being withdrawn
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Spicy Apricot Chutney - in jars
300g
Products with a best before end date of up until 01.02.2006 are being withdrawn
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Mild Chilli Relish - in jars
300g
Products with a best before end date of up until 01.02.2006 are being withdrawn
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Tomato Relish - in jars
300g
Products with a best before end date of up until 01.02.2006 are being withdrawn
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Onion Chutney - in jars
300g
Products with a best before end date of up until 01.02.2006 are being withdrawn
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Curried Fruit Chutney - in jars
300g
Products with a best before end date of up until 01.02.2006 are being withdrawn
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Barbecue Relish - in jars
300g
Products with a best before end date of up until 01.02.2006 are being withdrawn
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Tomato Relish - catering size jars
2.4kg
Products with a best before end of date of up until July 2004
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Mild Chilli Relish - catering size jars
2.4kg
Products with a best before end of date of up until July 2004
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Tomato Chilli Relish - catering size jars
2.4kg
Products with a best before end of date of up until July 2004
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Chilli Relish - catering size jars
2.4kg
Products with a best before end of date of up until July 2004
Shaws(Huddersfield) Ltd
Red Hot Chilli Sauce - catering size jars
2.3kg
Products with a best before end of date of up until July 2004

Rajah Tandoori and seasoning products have been sold in a number of supermarkets and other retail outlets, as well as cash and carry stores and wholesalers. Only the specific Rajah products with the best before dates listed are currently affected. A customer services helpline has been set up for anyone who has bought any of the Rajah products. The telephone number is 0800 0721122. Shaws relish and chutney products have been sold to a wide range of retail and catering outlets. Shaws can be contacted on 01484 539999.

Photographs of some of these products listed above are attached below.

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Illegal chemical dye found in chilli products in the UK

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