"There is now huge demand for all the imports to be tested and cleared," said Melindee Hastie, who works in the authenticity laboratories at Reading Scientific Services (RSSL), the company that developed the test.
"We have developed a screening method that will give a reliable yes/no answer for the presence of Sudan Red I to IV, allowing importers to reject problem batches if necessary, and to be confident of imports that they accept."
This development will make it easier for food manufacturers to meet EU requirements. The European Commission recently extended the scope of a ban on Sudan Red I, after it was revealed that related chemicals were also being found in chilli products adulterated with Sudan Red I. All are considered to be carcinogenic.
There is now an emergency measure in force dictating that chilli and chilli products, including curry powder, can only enter an EU country providing it has proof that these illegal chemical dyes are not present.
These rulings extend tight measures that have been in place since June 2003, when France alerted the European Commission to traces of Sudan 1 found in chilli and chilli powder. The inclusion of curry powder, which is found extensively in European food products, could lead to a surge in product recalls for the food industry.
In the UK alone, the food industry has recalled for destruction more than 160 products - ranging from pesto sauce to chicken tikka masala - from the supermarket shelves since July 2003 and enforcement of the new measures.