Supermarkets withdraw products in food dye scare
FSA acts on illegal chemical
More than 350 food products have been taken off the shelves by the major UK supermarkets after they were found to contain an illegal chemical linked to cancer.
The Food Standards Agency advised people not to eat foods inadvertently contaminated with an illegal dye, Sudan 1, which was in a batch of chilli powder used by supplier Premier Foods to manufacture a Worcester sauce used as an ingredient in a wide range of products.
Products ranging from ready meals to soups and sauces are affected. Products containing the contaminated sauce were supplied the ‘big four’ UK supermarkets – Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons – as well as Aldi, Co-op, Iceland, Marks & Spencer, Netto, Waitrose, Pret a Manger, Somerfield, Kwik-Save and Spar. A range of products from brands and suppliers are also affected, including Brakes, Booker, Heinz, Unilever, Happy Shopper and Premier’s own Crosse & Blackwell brand.
The FSA published a list of the products known to be affected and advised consumers to contact the stores which supplied them. The retailers had been advised of the problem earlier this week.
Food Standards Agency Chief Executive Dr Jon Bell said: “Sudan 1 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.”
Sudan 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 1. The FSA and local authorities randomly sample more than 1,000 consignments a year of imported chilli products.
However, the batch involved predates this sampling programme and was uncovered after sampling of Worcester sauce produced by Premier Foods and exported to Italy.
Premier Foods said in a statement: “The ingredient was supplied to Premier from a reputable UK source, who themselves had been supplied by another UK company. Premier received written assurance that the chilli powder did not contain Sudan 1.”
It added: “It must be stressed that the product withdrawal is a purely precautionary measure, and the levels at which Sudan 1 occurs in the products concerned presents no immediate risk to health.”
The list of products affected can be found at: http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/sudani/sudanlist
