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Sudan l risk to children and pregnant women 'very small'

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have said in a statement that no groups, whether young, in hospital, elderly or pregnant are exposed to anything other than a very small risk surrounding the recent removal of food products contaminated with an illegal dye.

Sudan l is a red dye that has been banned from all food products in the UK and EU since 2003 following experiments on rats, which suggested that the chemical could trigger the formation of malignant tumours. However, this dye was in a batch of chilli powder used by Premier Foods to manufacture a Worcester sauce, which was then used as an ingredient in a wide range of products.

So far nearly 500 products have been confirmed to contain the dye. The FSA have confirmed that the majority of products have been removed from shelves of both major retailers and smaller catering companies.

However, they have urged the public to remember that the risk is very small.

Professor Alan Boobis, an expert in toxicology at Imperial College London says there is little reason for the public to be alarmed.

He said, "People should not be unduly concerned about the health effects.

"It is a good idea to remove this substance from the food chain, but this is being done simply as a precaution, not because there is an immediate impact on health."

David Statham, Director of Enforcement at the Food Standards Agency, said, "At the levels present the risk is likely to be very small but it is sensible to avoid eating any food known to be contaminated. There is no risk of immediate ill health."

"The Agency is working with the industry and local authorities to ensure that any remaining affected foods are removed from sale. If you have any of these foods at home you are advised not to eat them and to contact the store you bought them from for a refund."

Current legislation insists that all dried and crushed or ground chilli coming into any EU Member State must be accompanied by a certificate showing they have been tested and found to be free of Sudan I. Any consignments containing Sudan l is destroyed.

However, the contaminated batch entered the UK before these laws came into place.

You can get a full list of affected products by visiting the FSA

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