Chutneys and relishes containing Sudan I

Friday 22 August 2003

Category D: For Information Only

Heads of Environmental Health Services and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware that further to food hazard warnings of 31July 2003 and 20 August 2003 that relate to contamination of chutneys and relishes manufactured by Shaws (Huddersfield) Ltd with Sudan I, a number of these products have been supplied to independent distributors (see attached list).

These companies label the listed products on behalf of customers who then retail the chutneys, relishes and pasta sauces with their 'own labels' via farm shops, gift shops and delicatessens across the UK.

Sudan I is not a permitted colour under the Colours in Food Regulations 1995. It is considered to be a genotoxic carcinogen and its presence at any level, is not permitted in foodstuffs for any purpose.

The Agency identified these products as part of its continuing investigation into Sudan I contamination of chilli powder and products containing chilli powder.

The distribution companies have undertaken a comprehensive trade withdrawal of the product and have produced point of sale notices for display in affected retail outlets.

Identification of the product:

These products are all supplied in clear glass jars with a paper bonnet and a front label bearing the name of the product.

They also have a back label bearing the name of the product, the ingredients, weight and Best Before date.

The bonnet is customised for each customer and either bears a personalised stamp with the shop's name and details, or a number of own brand name such as 'Butlers Grove', 'Elizabeth Smedley Speciality Foods', 'Home Recipe Foods', 'Farmhouse Products'.

Further assistance in identifying these products can be obtained from the FSA website where photographs of the style of packaging of these products can be found.

Only products listed below carrying a Best Before End date up to 1 June 2005 are affected:

Company: Dart Valley Foods (own brand Butlers Grove)

Product	Size
Tangy Tomato Relish	300g
Very Hot Spicy Chutney	300g
Curried Fruit Chutney	300g
Onion Chutney	300g
Mild Chilli Relish	300g
Hot Mango Chutney	300g
Tomato and Ginger Chutney	285g
Barbecue Relish	300g
Hot Pepper and Aubergine Relish	280g
Louisiana Creole Pasta Sauce	300g
Spicy Apricot Chutney	300g

Company: Home Recipe Foods (own brand Home Recipe Foods)

Product	Size
Flaming Hot Chutney	300g
Curried Fruit Chutney	300g
Onion Chutney	300g
Hot Mango Chutney	300g
Barbecue Relish	300g
Hot Red Pepper and Aubergine Relish	280g
Spicy Tomato Relish	300g
Tomato and Chilli Relish	300g
Tomato and Garlic Chutney	300g

Company: Farmhouse Products (own brand Farmhouse Products)

Product	Size
Tomato and Garlic Chutney	300g

Company: Elizabeth Smedley Speciality Foods (own brand Elizabeth Smedley Speciality Foods)

Product	Size
Fire Eaters Chutney	300g
Curried Fruit Chutney	300g
Red Pepper and Aubergine Relish	280g

Farmhouse Preserves contact number for customer enquiries is 01423 780996
Elizabeth Smedley Speciality Foods contact number for customer enquiries is 01765 640680
Farmhouse Products contact number for customer enquiries is 01477 500660