Cancer dye Sudan 1 found in curry powders

The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) said today that batches of curry powder have been withdrawn from sale after they were found to contain the banned dye Sudan 1.

Rajah Premium Hot Curry Powder and Rajah Premium Mild Curry Powder have been taken off the shelves at Somerfield, Budgens and Kwik Save supermarkets.

Rajah is owned by BE International Foods, which has issued a recall notice for the affected products.

The FSA however is still concerned that small retailers and caterers may still have the products on their shelves.

Apparently the affected powder was in 100g and 425g tins, with a best before date up to and including June 2008.

A 400g packet of the powder, with a best before date of June 2007, has also been withdrawn.

Rajah has been implicated before in food scares when eight of its products were found to contain Sudan 1 in 2003 and withdrawn from sale.

According to the FSA, it has notified local authorities who will ensure local shops do not carry the banned product.

Sudan 1 is a red dye normally used as a colouring in solvents, oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polish, and experts have warned it could increase the risk of cancer although it is not thought to pose an immediate risk to health.

In February more than 400 products containing the dye were withdrawn from supermarket shelves in an exercise which is thought to have cost in excess of £100million.

The FSA has published a list of 474 products thought to have been contaminated with the dye, and has advised anyone who has any of these products at home to either throw them away or call HP Foods' customer helpline on 0800 072 4090 to arrange for a refund.