Contamination of Pran brand pickles with Sudan I dye (first update)
Tuesday 25 November 2003
Category C: Action as deemed necessary
Heads of Environmental Health and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware that further to Food Hazard Warning 45/2003 another importer of this product has been identified.
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.
Pran brand Naga Chilli Pickle Extra Hot has also been imported from Bangladesh (where it is manufactured by the Agricultural Marketing Co Ltd) by Al-Amin Cash & Carry Ltd, 105-107 Hanbury Street London E1.
This company has distributed the product through various retail outlets that sell Asian foodstuffs in London.
Identification of the product:
Pran brand Naga Chilli Pickle Extra Hot in 300g glass jars with a screw top lid, overwrapped in clear cellophane.
The label is red with the lettering in yellow and white and a picture of chilli peppers on the front.
The Pran logo is at the top of the label on the front of the jar, with the product description Naga Chilli Pickle in white lettering below and the words Extra Hot in yellow lettering.
The lid is white with a red border and has a picture of fruit on it and the Pran logo.
Embossed on the cellophane wrapping in black lettering are the words 'Imported by AL-AMIN CASH & CARRY LTD, LONDON, UK.'
The manufacturing date and expiry date is also embossed on the cellophane wrapping and this updated food hazard warning covers all dates.
Action 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.
The importer is undertaking a trade withdrawal, however it is very likely that some of the affected products may still be on sale.
Therefore Local Authorities in the London area are asked to make contact with food premises likely to stock this product to ensure that it is removed from sale and destroyed.
As the company has not issued any press release there remains the possibility that affected products are in consumers homes.
Local authorities are therefore also asked to provide local publicity at the next available opportunity to this issue and for that purpose may wish to refer to the previous press release of 6 November 2003.
It is expected that action by local authorities will be initiated as soon as possible after receipt of this food hazard warning.
