Nine more products Sudan Red+
Veronica Mohapeloa
22 April 2005
An additional nine products that have tested positive for Sudan Red, a commercial dye used illegally in food that could increase the risk of cancer if consumed over a long period in large quantities.
This brings to 24 the total number of products in South Africa found to contain the Sudan Red colourant since the discovery of low levels of Sudan Red in selected foodstuffs in Britain two months ago.
According to the Department of Health's forensic chemistry laboratories, nine additional contaminated products are:
- Spice Time Cayenne Pepper
- Spice Time Portuguese Chicken Spice
- Spice Time Peri-Peri
- Gihwala's Cayenne Pepper
- Eastern Gem Peri-Peri Spice
- Hinds Cayenne Pepper
- Spice Mecca Father-in-law Spice
- Chohan Spice Portuguese Spice
- Special Chillie Hot Chillie
Consumers who have bought any of the listed products - also see the rest of the list below - are advised to dispose of them.
The
department has urged companies and retailers to recall the products, and to ensure that any chilli powders or related food substances do not contain the prohibited dye.
The department's countrywide campaign has involved random sampling and testing of various foodstuffs containing chilli powder.
A large number of these products has already been recalled from South Africa's main retail outlets, with some being voluntarily removed from the shelves.
Meanwhile, SA's local and port health authorities will continue to sample chilli powder and related products that come into the country via the ports.
Although the dye contains chemicals that could increase the risk of cancer, the department said there was no risk of immediate illness to exposed consumers.
The colourant is prohibited for use in food by the Regulations Relating to Food Colourants of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act 54 of 1972.
The other 15 products are:
- Hinds
Peri-Peri Spice
- Spice Time Barbeque Spice
- Packo Peri-Peri Sauce
- Helderberg Spice Peri-Peri Sauce
- Robertson's Peri Peri Spice
- Osman's Taj Mahal Chilli Powder
- Osman's Taj Mahal Extra Special Curry Powder (Medium)
- Allifa's Extra Special Curry Powder
- Bombay Special Peri Peri Spice
- Adamson Spices Mother-in-law Spice
- Adamson Spices Chicken Tikka Spice
- Adamson Spices Hot Curry Powder
- Chiefs Mango Achar Spicy
- Ma's Spices Fine Chili Powder
- Ma's Spices Curry Powder
Source: BuaNews
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