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Food Standards Agency

Saturday 4 July 2009

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Para red dye

spices red

Para red is a chemical dye used in printing. It is not a permitted colour under the Colours in Food Regulations 1995 and its use in food is illegal.

At the levels found in food with this illegal dye in it, any risk to people's health is likely to be very small. However, Para red is chemically very similar to Sudan I and the Agency's independent scientific experts have advised that although there is very limited data available, it would be prudent to assume that it could be a genotoxic carcinogen.

It is sensible that people don't eat any of the products in the list below.

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Para Red: latest news, advice and recalls

A further three products have been added to the list of foods shown to contain spices contaminated with illegal dye Para Red.

Para Red: your questions answered

Find out more about the illegal food dye, Para Red.

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