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18/02/2005
Carcinogenic dye found in huge range of UK food products
The Food Standards Agency is today advising people not to eat foods that have been inadvertently contaminated with an illegal dye, Sudan I.
This dye was in a batch of chilli powder used by Premier Foods to manufacture a Worcester sauce, which was then used as an ingredient in a wide range of products. A list of foods known to be affected at www.food.gov.uk/sudanlist is being updated as further information becomes available.
The Agency is working with the industry and local authorities to ensure that any remaining affected foods are removed from sale. If people have any of these foods at home they are advised not to eat them and to contact the store from which they bought them for a refund.
Food Standards Agency Chief Executive, Dr Jon Bell, said: “Sudan I could contribute to an increased risk of cancer. However, at the levels present the risk is likely to be very small but it is sensible to avoid eating any more. There is no risk of immediate ill health.
"The Agency is working with the industry to ensure that any remaining affected products are speedily removed. Because of the widespread use of this Worcester sauce to flavour other foods, we may find further affected products. We will continue to take action to remove these and minimise the risk to consumers."
The foods, including soups, sauces and ready meals, have been distributed widely. At least 350 food products are currently known to be affected.
The companies whose products are listed are co-operating with the Agency to ensure the products are withdrawn.
Sudan I is a dye that should not be added to food and is banned in the UK and across the EU. Since July 2003 all chilli powder imported into the UK has to be certified free of Sudan I.
The FSA and local authorities randomly sample more than 1,000 consignments a year of imported chilli products.
However, this batch predates this sampling programme and was uncovered after sampling of Worcester sauce produced by Premier Foods exported to Italy.
(GB)
This dye was in a batch of chilli powder used by Premier Foods to manufacture a Worcester sauce, which was then used as an ingredient in a wide range of products. A list of foods known to be affected at www.food.gov.uk/sudanlist is being updated as further information becomes available.
The Agency is working with the industry and local authorities to ensure that any remaining affected foods are removed from sale. If people have any of these foods at home they are advised not to eat them and to contact the store from which they bought them for a refund.
Food Standards Agency Chief Executive, Dr Jon Bell, said: “Sudan I could contribute to an increased risk of cancer. However, at the levels present the risk is likely to be very small but it is sensible to avoid eating any more. There is no risk of immediate ill health.
"The Agency is working with the industry to ensure that any remaining affected products are speedily removed. Because of the widespread use of this Worcester sauce to flavour other foods, we may find further affected products. We will continue to take action to remove these and minimise the risk to consumers."
The foods, including soups, sauces and ready meals, have been distributed widely. At least 350 food products are currently known to be affected.
The companies whose products are listed are co-operating with the Agency to ensure the products are withdrawn.
Sudan I is a dye that should not be added to food and is banned in the UK and across the EU. Since July 2003 all chilli powder imported into the UK has to be certified free of Sudan I.
The FSA and local authorities randomly sample more than 1,000 consignments a year of imported chilli products.
However, this batch predates this sampling programme and was uncovered after sampling of Worcester sauce produced by Premier Foods exported to Italy.
(GB)
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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has added several more products to the list of food items contaminated with an illegal dye. The FSA issued an urgent warning on Friday after Sudan 1, a dye that has been linked to an increased cancer risk, was found in batch of chilli powder, used by Premier Foods to manufacture a Worcester sauce.
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