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Food Standards Agency, London has confirmed that their investigations have proved that some chilli powders do contain a substance called Sudan dye. Sudan dye is normally used for colouring solvent; waxes, shoe and floor polish etc and should not be consumed by humans.
Adulteration of this substance has been found in number of relishes, chutneys and seasoning containing certain brands of chilli powders. Sudan dyes by law are not allowed to be added to food in the UK and in the rest of the EU.
It should be noted that fresh chillies are not affected. Investigation are continuing to ascertain and identify whether any other products contain Sudan dyes, I, II III or IV. These are also known as scarlet red.
Under a new EC decision, cargoes of crushed, dried or ground chilli and curry powder imported into any EU Member State must be accompanied by a certificate showing that these were tested and found to be free of any Sudan dyes. Any consignment that does not have a valid certificate would be detained for sampling and analysis.
Random sampling must also be undertaken in the importing country by either the ports or the local authority. Should the consignment be found to have traces of Sudan dyes, these should then be destroyed.
Please note that there is no immediate risk to health if Sudan dyes have been eaten through any products. Frequent consumption of contaminated products over a long period would increase that risk.
Some restaurants and takeaways have been using products containing Sudan I. Any food products that have been found to be containing Sudan series of dyes are being stopped from sale in these establishments, by the caterers or from food shops.
Halal Food Authority (HFA) commends the efforts made by the Food Standards Agency in highlighting and tackling this issue that has thus saved not only a large Asian population but also other consumers who are partial to Asian foodstuffs, from a calamity that might have been caused by this odious practice of adulteration of simple foods.
For details of the products, manufacturers names or the brand names, please link with the Food Standards Agency website, www.food.gov.uk
Masood Khawaja
President
Mobile number 07860 635 537
4th August 2004
©Halal Food Authority 2006
