Trading Standards Give Illegal Food Dye the Boot

Consumers are being warned to check foods produced by two manufacturers for an illegal dye that has been found in imported chilli powder.

Lancashire’s Trading Standards officers are concerned that Sudan 1, a red dye more commonly used to colour shoes, boots and floor polish could cause health problems if eaten.

Jim Potts, Lancashire County Council’s Chief Trading Standards Officer, said:

“The Food Standards Agency has already issued a warning on this and we are advising everyone to check any relishes, chutneys and seasonings marketed by Shaws (Huddersfield) Ltd and BE International Foods (Rajah Brand) for the ingredient Chilli Powder.

“There is no immediate danger to health but this particular dye has potential carcinogenic properties and should certainly not be present in foods.”

Trading Standards officers, in conjunction with District Environmental Health Officers and the County Analyst, will be visiting food businesses to seek out the problem products.

Consumers should read their food labels carefully as not all products are affected (including fresh chilli products). Anyone in doubt over the products affected can call the Companies’ help lines;

Rajah (BE International Foods) on 0800 0721122
Shaws on 01484 539999

Or Lancashire Trading Standards on 0845 600 1352.

Notes for Editors
Unlike the industrial dye Sudan 1,all food ingredients, additives and colourings have to have EU approval based on proven safe-to-eat principles.

The contaminated chilli powder has been imported from India where the dye was added without the knowledge of UK importers.

All imports of chilli products are now being checked before sale in the EU.

Sudan 1 presents no immediate threat of illness and those most at risk would be people regularly eating quantities of contaminated product over a long period of time.

Restaurants and takeaways are also being alerted to the contaminated product.
Products identified as containing Sudan 1 are:

Shaws Products affected are those listed below:

retail-size products with any Best Before End date up 01.02.2024 and of the Food-Service (Catering) size with any Best Before End date before July 04.
Retail-Size Products
Red Pepper & Aubergine Relish 280g
Hot Mango Chutney 300g
Flaming Hot Chutney 300g
Spicy Apricot Chutney 300g
Mild Chilli Relish 300g
Tomato Relish 300g
Onion Chutney 300g
Curried Fruit Chutney 300g
Barbecue Relish 300g
Food-Service (Catering) Size Products
Tomato Relish 2.4Kg
Mild Chilli Relish 2.4Kg
Tomato Chilli Relish 2.4Kg
Chilli Relish 2.4Kg
Red Hot Chilli Sauce 2.3Kg
The Rajah brand products listed below have been identified as containing Sudan I. The company has undertaken a full trade withdrawal of the products with any Best Before End dates up until 18th July 2005 from all their customers.

The details of the products are as follows:

Rajah Tandoori Masala
Rajah Natural Tandoori Masala
Rajah Jerk seasoning
Rajah Chilli & Lemon seasoning
Rajah Oriental Noodle seasoning
Rajah Chicken seasoning

These products are retailed in 100g and 400g packets. These sizes and larger sizes (1kg and 8 kg) are also sold through wholesalers.

A fuller list of products affected can be found by visiting the Food Standards Agency web page: www.foodstandards.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/sudan

For further information please contact: Martin Crabtree on 01772 533536
martin.crabtree@css.lancscc.gov.uk