Contamination of MacPhilips Foods Ltd own brand palm oil with Sudan IV dye (update 2)

Wednesday 27 October 2004

Food Alert: for Action

Ref: 40/2004 (update 2) (England) Information notification 41/2004 update 2 (Scotland)

Food Hazard Warnings 40/2004 (England) and 41/2004 (Scotland) warned of Sudan IV contamination of various brand palm oils bottled by Macphilips Foods Ltd.

Since that time an additional container size for Macphilips Foods Ltd. own brand pure palm oil to those previously notified has been found on sale in retail premises.

The affected product was bottled by Macphilips Foods Ltd. of Unit 2, Golden House, Waterden Road, Stratford, London E15 2EE.

The additional affected product
500ml Macphilips Foods Ltd own brand pure palm oil 'best before' end Dec 2006.

Identification of the product
To assist local authorities in the correct identification of this product a picture can be viewed from the link at the foot of this page.

Action to be taken by local authorities
The product presenst 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 IV. In addition, Sudan IV is not a permitted colour.

If any of this product is found within their area, enforcement officers should ensure that it is withdrawn and destroyed, if necessary using powers under The Food Safety Act. As the company have not issued any press release or made the public aware of the recall, 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.

It is essential that all non-unitary authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions.