Despite emergency measures by the EU last month to block imports of chilli powder contaminated with the red dye Sudan I, the UK food safety agency has uncovered this potential carcinogen in some food products.
When France discovered contaminated products in May this year, it immediately took interim protective measures and simultaneously informed the Commission and other Member States of the risk through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed.
The EU's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) reacted with a range of emergency control measures. But the findings from the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) suggest the products slipped through the net before the tighter rules.
"We have already identified some relishes, chutneys and seasonings that people should avoid and our investigations are on-going," said David Statham, director of food standards and enforcement at the agency, "There should not be any Sudan I in food," he stressed.
In a bid to reassure consumers Statham added that not all chilli powder, nor all products with chilli in them, are affected. "Fresh chilli is not affected, nor are new supplies of chilli powder because checks at ports are now ensuring that it tests negative for Sudan I before it is allowed into the country," he said.
Under a new EC decision, which came into force this week, 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.
According to the agency the contaminated chilli powder has its source in India, it appears certain producers have been adulterating their product with the red dye.