18 February 2005 - The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today warned Irish consumers about an illegal red food colourant, Sudan Red 1, that was used to manufacture chilli powder. Currently, a total of 38food products, available on the Irish market, are implicated. Sudan Red 1, an industrial dye, has been banned as a food colourant throughout Europe since 2003 due to its carcinogenic properties. The FSAI is advising consumers that if they have these products, they should either throw them out or return them to the shop where they purchased them.
The Authority is working with Irish retailers and manufacturers to immediately recall any affected products and remove them from the market. A list of known products is available on the Authority’s website www.fsai.ie and will be updated on an ongoing basis until the Authority is satisfied that no contaminated product is available on the Irish market.
The Authority’s warning follows information received from the Food Standards Agency in the UK concerning the discovery that Premier Foods (UK) had used chilli powder contaminated with Sudan Red 1 in the manufacture of Worcester sauce. The chilli powder used had been imported from India into the UK. Premier Foods supplies to various branded products and manufacturers of other food products, such as ready meals and soups.
The FSAI has been informed that, following investigation, UK Premier Foods was found to have distributed the colourant to six manufacturers in Ireland, of which five distribute products here. While 38 products are currently identified in Ireland, up to 350 food products may be implicated in the UK. It is unknown, at present, how many of these may be available on the Irish market. Companies who have received contaminated product are being informed, and are in the process of recalling products in Ireland and the UK. Retailers are also removing the products in question from shelves.
Dr. John O’Brien, Chief Executive, FSAI, states, “The use of Sudan Red 1 in foods is totally unacceptable. Consumers have a right to be protected from unnecessary exposure to contaminants in the food supply. While the colourant Sudan Red 1 has been found to have carcinogenic properties, it would have to be consumed over a long period of time in order to pose a significant health risk. Nonetheless, it is very important that all manufacturers, retailers and consumers follow the advice being issued by the Authority in order to ensure that there is no further consumption of the affected products in Ireland.”
“Due to the speedy warning issued to the food industry by the Authority, many of the products in question will already have been removed from sale by retailers. Consumers should be advised to check with their retailer if they have any concerns about specific products,” Dr. O’Brien continues.
Dr. O’Brien concluded that it is illegal to use Sudan Red 1 in food or food products and that new European legislation places a legal obligation on food businesses to not only have recall and traceability systems in place, but to provide information to consumers on recalls, and to recall products from them when there are identified health risks. A key element of that legislation is for all food business operators to take responsibility in guaranteeing that products being supplied to consumers are safe and legal.