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Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service |
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Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service |
ILLEGAL COLOUR IN FOOD –NEW WARNING
Following earlier Food Hazard Warnings
issued over the last few months about contaminated chilli powder containing
an illegal dye, Sudan 1, a potentially cancer causing chemical, West Yorkshire
Trading Standards Service and local Environmental Health Departments are issuing
warnings to retailers, caterers and consumers about another product, which the
Food Standards Agency has identified as containing Sudan 1. This product has
been imported into the UK and distributed by 3 companies including Bestway Cash
and Carry stores.
The latest product known to be contaminated with the dye is the French made
Dea Brand Harissa Hot Sauce. Although all the importers have undertaken a trade
withdrawal, officers will be visiting retail premises in the county in case
the affected product remains on sale:
Product Dea Brand Harissa Hot Sauce Pack size
140 and 400g All up to and including Best Before End 21/01/2006
Products with a best before end date
from 22/01/2006 are not affected. Photographs of the affected product can be
found on the FSA website at http://www.food.gov.uk./
Sudan 1 is not a permitted food colour and is believed to be a genotoxic carcinogen
and its presence, at any level, is not permitted in any foodstuffs. The product
presents a health risk if consumed in sufficient quantity, and does not comply
with the food safety requirements specified in the Food Safety Act 1990 due
to the contamination.
Martin Wood, Chief Trading Standards Officer of West Yorkshire Trading Standards
Service said: “Although there is no immediate threat of illness, those most
at risk would be people eating contaminated products regularly over a long time,
anyone who has this product at home should throw it away. Retailers, takeaways
and restaurants should not sell or use it. The product should be destroyed or
returned.”
Councillor Graham Clarke, Chairman of the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service
added: “Despite the warnings and action taken so far, there is still more to
do to ensure that no consumers are adversely affected. I would like to appeal,
via the media, to retailers to check their stock and remove all contaminated
products and to consumers to check their food cupboards. Anyone with any concerns
or who sees any product on sale should contact the West Yorkshire Consumer Helpline
on 0113 3 848 848”.
For further information contact:
Carol Hallet General Media Contact 0113 383 6407
Graham Hebblethwaite Divisional Manager 0113 289 8218
Andrew Bibby Principal Officer 0113 289 8237
Steven Kaye Principal Officer 0113 289 8229