Contamination of Pran Naga Chilli Pickle Extra Hot with Sudan I

Thursday 6 November 2003

Category B: For Action

Heads of Environmental Health and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware that Pran Brand Naga Chilli Pickle Extra Hot 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. Pran brand Naga Chilli Pickle Extra Hot is imported from Bangladesh (where it is manufactured by the Agricultural Marketing Co Ltd) and distributed by Azka Impex, based in Birmingham. The product has been on sale in various retail outlets that sell Asian foodstuffs in England and to one outlet in Wales.

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 lid in black lettering are the words ‘Imported by AZKA IMPEX, UK, Mobile No: 07956 980005, Fax No: (0121) 242 6996. The manufacturing date and expiry date is also embossed on the lid and this food hazard warning covers all dates.

To assist Local Authorities in correct identification of this product pictures can be viewed at the links below.

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 are asked to visit or 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 or point of sale notices in retail outlets 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.

It is essential that all Local Authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions.

It is expected that action by local authorities will be initiated as soon as possible after receipt of this food hazard warning.