News

The Food Standards Agency has issued a warning to food retailers, cash and carry outlets and customers that a potentially hazardous dye has been found in chilli powder.

The chilli was supplied by Ramon Sabater of Spain and distributed by East Anglian Food Ingredients Ltd to a variety of customers who have incorporated it into their products. It is thought that some of these products may have been distributed to small retailers and cash and carry outlets.

The chilli powder has been contaminated by a dye called Para Red which is chemically very similar to Sudan I. It is not permitted in foodstuffs for any purpose. The amounts of Para Red found in the chilli powder are very low. At the levels found, the risk from eating any of the foods is very small, but as a precaution it would be sensible not to eat them.

Jeff Morley, Team Manager, Environmental and Consumer Protection Services, Borough of Poole, said: "Although the risk to health from eating contaminated food is likely to be low, traders must ensure that they take responsibility for the foods that they sell. If they fail to do so, not only are they potentially putting people's health at risk, they are also committing an offence. Our officers will be checking that traders have taken appropriate action during routine inspections and contacts with them."