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03/05/2005
Imported spices to be tested following illegal dye scares
A number of spices imported into the UK could face further testing for the presence of illegal dyes, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced.
Spices such as turmeric, paprika, chilli and cayenne pepper could be subject to rigorous testing, following a number of food scares over the presence of potentially cancer-causing dyes in food products over recent months.
There was a widespread alert in February, after the Sudan 1 dye was discovered in a batch of Worcester sauce, which had been used to make a variety of food products. It resulted in over 600 items being recalled from supermarkets and shops all over the UK.
Last month, another illegal dye, Para Red, was discovered in some Old El Paso Dinner Kits.
Last week, supermarket chain Tesco was forced to recall batches of their own brand barbecue-flavoured rice cakes, after they were found to contain both Sudan 1 and Para Red. Barts Spices was also forced to recall its own brand ground paprika and Co-op brand ground paprika, after Para Red was discovered.
Sudan 1 is a genotoxic carcinogen and Para Red, which is chemically very similar to Sudan 1, is also regarded to be carcinogenic. Both dyes are banned under the 1995 Colours in Food Regulations Act.
The FSA has confirmed that it is “developing plans for surveillance work” to check for the presence of illegal dyes in spices being imported into Britain.
(KMcA/SP)
Spices such as turmeric, paprika, chilli and cayenne pepper could be subject to rigorous testing, following a number of food scares over the presence of potentially cancer-causing dyes in food products over recent months.
There was a widespread alert in February, after the Sudan 1 dye was discovered in a batch of Worcester sauce, which had been used to make a variety of food products. It resulted in over 600 items being recalled from supermarkets and shops all over the UK.
Last month, another illegal dye, Para Red, was discovered in some Old El Paso Dinner Kits.
Last week, supermarket chain Tesco was forced to recall batches of their own brand barbecue-flavoured rice cakes, after they were found to contain both Sudan 1 and Para Red. Barts Spices was also forced to recall its own brand ground paprika and Co-op brand ground paprika, after Para Red was discovered.
Sudan 1 is a genotoxic carcinogen and Para Red, which is chemically very similar to Sudan 1, is also regarded to be carcinogenic. Both dyes are banned under the 1995 Colours in Food Regulations Act.
The FSA has confirmed that it is “developing plans for surveillance work” to check for the presence of illegal dyes in spices being imported into Britain.
(KMcA/SP)
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