Food Law News - UK - 2003
FSA Press Release (2003/0419), 2 October 2003
CONTAIMINANTS - Food Standards Agency issues warning about couscous found to contain contaminated chilli powder
The Food Standards Agency today warned that some batches of a couscous product sold in the UK contain chilli powder which has been contaminated with the chemical dye Sudan I. Affected batches of Sammy's Easy Cook Couscous - Zesty Lemon and Coriander have now been withdrawn from sale.
The product was sold in Tesco's supermarkets and Makro cash and carry stores. It was sold at Tesco's in 200g cartons. Only batches with the best before dates below are affected:
- 07.09.2004
- 08.09.2004
- 24.09.2004
The product was sold at Makro in 1.5kg jars. Only batches with the best before dates below are affected:
- 30.12.2004
- 01.01.2005
- 04.01.2005
- 09.01.2005
Sudan I could cause cancer, although there is no immediate threat of illness. People most at risk would be those eating contaminated products regularly and over a long period of time.
Anyone who has purchased one of these contaminated products, which are produced by First Quality Foods, should either throw it away, or return it and request a refund from the store where it was purchased. Pictures of the products can be found on the Agency website.
The Agency has been investigating which food products in the UK could have been affected by contaminated chilli powder since July. It is understood that three chilli suppliers in India had been adulterating their chilli powder with Sudan I. More than 40 contaminated products have been withdrawn from sale and recalled in the UK so far.
Additional notes:
- The Agency was notified by the European Commission (EC) in July that some products that had been found in France to be contaminated with Sudan I had been produced in the UK. The French findings have led to a trail of investigations in the UK and other Member States into a number of companies and products using chilli powder from the Indian companies.
- The three Indian companies that have been identified as the source of contaminated chilli powder have had their licence to trade suspended by the Indian Spice Board pending further investigation.
- Under a new EC Decision, which came into force on 30th July 2003, any new cargoes of dried and crushed or ground chilli coming into any EU Member State must now be accompanied by a certificate showing they have been tested and found to be free of Sudan I. Any consignment that does not have a certificate will be detained for sampling and analysis. Port officials can also test any other food products. Anything containing Sudan I will be seized and destroyed. Random sampling is also being undertaken by local authorities. All products found to contain Sudan I must be seized and destroyed.