Food makers to test as recalls on Sudan continue
biggest food product recall in the UK's history, the country's food
agency detects the colour in a batch of curry powders, reports
Lindsey Partos.
The Food Standards Agency warned this week that the Rajah brand of Premium Curry powders produced for BE International Foods have been found to be contaminated with Sudan I.
This latest discovery, marks again the absolute need for food manufacturers to test their stocks prior to using in food formulations.
If faith in food safety procedures and the food chain is to be maintained, contaminated ingredient must not slip through the food safety net.
At a cost of millions of euros, over 600 well-known processed foods were pulled from the UK shelves in February after authorities detected Sudan 1 in Worcester sauce, used as tabletop sauce and food ingredient, supplied by UK food maker Premier Foods.
At the time, EU health commissioner Markos Kyprianou clearly laid responsibility with the food processors, concerned that despite an EU-wide ban on Sudan 1-IV since 2003, "old stocks of chilli from before June 2003 appear still to be used by food processors."
"Certain industrial operators have not faced up to their responsibilities and cleaned up their stocks of raw material," said Kyprianou.
Sudan 1 to IV are classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and are banned under European Union rules imposed in July 2003.
Brussels now requires that imports of chilli and chilli products - including curry powder - cross the EU border with proof - a certificate - they are free of the illegal chemical dyes.
But this week's food recall on sudan 1 is clear evidence that stocks are still not being tested. Failing to double check and test an "old" ingredient prior to use in post-2003 formulations will serve to simply maintain the vulnerability of food processors.
Despite exposure to heavy penalties.
David Statham, director of enforcement at the FSA reminded the food industry earlier this year that companies failing to ensure that "food placed on the market is safe and fit for human consumption can face prosecution under the General Food Regulations (no longer under the Food Safety Act)."
Local authorities, not the agency, are responsible for taking forward any prosecution that can range from a £20,000 fine and six months in jail from a magistrates court to two years in jail and an unlimited fine imposed by the Crown court.
Further details about the recall of Rajah curry powders can be obtained from the FSA website.
