Contamination of Map Tandoori Masala Mix

THE Food Standards Agency has issued a warning that a certain spice mix may be contaminated with the chemical dye Sudan 1.

Mick King, County Trading Standards Officer, Northumberland County Council said: “Our first priority is to get these products off the market and to protect public health. Anyone who has one of these contaminated products should either throw it away, or return it and request a refund from the seller. Shops should not sell them and manufacturers or caterers should not use them as ingredients of meals.”

The product affected is Map Tandoori Masala spice mix distributed by Bestway Cash and Carry Stores.

The products are packed in 100g, 400g and 1 Kg clear plastic bags. The front of the bag has a picture of spices on an orange coloured background at the top. The Map logo is beneath this picture in lower case white lettering on a blue and red background. The name of the product ‘ Tandoori Masala’ is below the logo in blue lettering on a white background. All affected products are marked best before end March 2004. No other Map brand products are known to be affected.

Pictures of the products can be viewed by accessing the Food Standards Agency website at

https://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/bigimages/maptandoorimasala.jpg

Sudan 1 is a chemical dye which could cause cancer if consumed regularly and over a long period of time.

The products have been withdrawn from sale but people may still have them in their homes.

For further information please contact:

Trading Standards Department
Loansdean
Morpeth
NE61 2AP
Telephone: 01670 534585
Fax: 01670 534590
E-mail: tradingstandards@northumberland.gov.uk

Further information is available from:
Nicola Sleightholme, Public Relations Assistant, Northumberland County Council
Tel: 01670 533252
Email: nsleightholme@northumberland.gov.uk
See all our latest news at: www.northumberland.gov.uk/press