Laziza International Pasanda Masala with Garlic/Ginger Spice Mix contaminated with Sudan I dye

Heads of Environmental Health and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware that Laziza International Pasanda Masala with Garlic/Ginger Spice Mix has been found to be contaminated with the illegal dye, Sudan I.

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. Laziza International Pasanda Masala with Garlic/Ginger Spice Mix was imported by Opulent Foods Company Ltd., based in the London Borough of Brent, from Pakistan where it is manufactured by the Convenience Food Industries (Pvt) Ltd. The product was distributed by Opulent Foods Company Ltd. and has been on sale in various retail outlets in the UK.

The company is believed to have undertaken a trade withdrawal of affected products in 100g packets – with Best Before End date of October 2005 and Lot Code 2523026. No other Laziza International brand products are known to be affected.

Identification of the product:

The Laziza International Pasanda Masala with Garlic/Ginger Spice Mix is sold in 100g cardboard cartons. The front of the carton shows meat in sauce at the top. There is an orange strip across the centre of the front of the carton with the words ‘with Garlic/Ginger’ in white lettering to the right and 100 in green lettering and Grams in black lettering to the left.

Below this strip is the Laziza International logo in white lettering on a red background. The words Pasanda, (Spice Mix) and Masala are printed across the bottom of the front of the carton in black lettering.

The rear of the carton has a predominantly white background with a Pasanda recipe in English in black lettering on the bottom half and the same recipe in Arabic in black lettering on the top half.

The Laziza International logo is again displayed on the rear of the carton. The words Purity, Quality & Taste since 1985 are printed across the bottom of the rear of the carton in white lettering on a red background.

The ingredients are printed in the side of the carton and the lot code 2523026 and best before date October 2005 are printed in black lettering on the base of the carton. To assist Local Authorities on correct identification of this product a picture can be viewed at the link below

Actions to be taken by local authorities:

The product presents a health risk if consumed in sufficient quantity, and does not comply with the food safety requirements specified in the Food Safety Act 1990 due to contamination with Sudan I. In addition, Sudan I is not a permitted colour.

Although the company is believed to have undertaken a trade withdrawal there remains the possibility that some of the affected product may still be on sale in retail outlets or remain within the catering trade. If any of these products are found within their area, enforcement officers should ensure that they are withdrawn and destroyed, if necessary using powers under The Food Safety Act 1990.

As the company has not issued any press release or point of sale notices there remains the possibility that unused affected product is in consumers homes. Local authorities are therefore asked to consider providing local publicity on this issue at the next available opportunity.