Products contaminated with Sudan 1 have been discovered in China this week, confirming industry fears that large quantities of chilli powder laced with the banned substance are still in the food chain.
A Heinz subsidiary in China has detected trace amounts of Sudan 1 in certain products.
The revelation came as the UK Food Standards Agency this week published details of a further 43 products contaminated with the illegal dye, taking the UK total to 580.
Heinz declined to give details about the source of the Chinese contamination, but stressed that it was not Premier Foods.
The Heinz-Meiweiyuan condiment company had recalled batches of Golden Mark Guilin Chili Sauce and Meiweiyuan Chili Oil after tests revealed traces of the illegal dye, said a spokesman.
However, the products do not bear the Heinz brand and were only available in China, he said.
The Chinese recall was “unrelated to recent events in the UK due to the Premier Foods Sudan 1 recall”, he stressed. “No Heinz brands are affected in the UK or any other market.”
Chilli powder entering the EU has had to be certified as free of Sudan 1 since 2003. However, there are fewer safeguards in place outside the EU.
Elaine Watson
A Heinz subsidiary in China has detected trace amounts of Sudan 1 in certain products.
The revelation came as the UK Food Standards Agency this week published details of a further 43 products contaminated with the illegal dye, taking the UK total to 580.
Heinz declined to give details about the source of the Chinese contamination, but stressed that it was not Premier Foods.
The Heinz-Meiweiyuan condiment company had recalled batches of Golden Mark Guilin Chili Sauce and Meiweiyuan Chili Oil after tests revealed traces of the illegal dye, said a spokesman.
However, the products do not bear the Heinz brand and were only available in China, he said.
The Chinese recall was “unrelated to recent events in the UK due to the Premier Foods Sudan 1 recall”, he stressed. “No Heinz brands are affected in the UK or any other market.”
Chilli powder entering the EU has had to be certified as free of Sudan 1 since 2003. However, there are fewer safeguards in place outside the EU.
Elaine Watson
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