Contamination of Chenab Brand Supreme Quality Tandoori Masala and Supreme Brand Tandoori Masala with Sudan I dye

Monday 15 December 2003

Category C: For action as deemed necessary

Heads of Environmental Health Services and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware that Chenab brand Supreme Quality Tandoori Masala and Supreme brand Tandoori Masala have been found to be contaminated with the illegal dye, Sudan I. Both products are manufactured by Lubna Foods Limited of Bradford, Yorkshire.

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.

The Company have undertaken a trade withdrawal of the affected products and sent a letter to all of their customers that have received affected product confirming the details of the withdrawal.

Chenab brand Tandoori Masala

The following batch code has been withdrawn:
Best Before End August 2006

The following sizes are affected:
100g Chenab Supreme Quality Tandoori Masala
400g Chenab Supreme Quality Tandoori Masala
5kg Chenab Tandoori Masala

No other Chenab brand products are known to be affected.

Supreme brand Tandoori Masala

The following batch codes and sizes have been withdrawn,
1kg Supreme Tandoori Masala Best Before End September 2005

No other Supreme brand products are known to be affected.

Identification of the products

Chenab Brand
The 100g and 400g product is sold in clear plastic packets that are overprinted in a red/brown background colour with a green mottled pattern applied to it. In the top right hand corner there is a blue shield with a gold border, in the centre of which is the brand name Chenab in gold lettering with a set of gold scales directly above. The top left of the packet displays the product description in white lettering. The bottom of the packet has a clear viewing window in which the Best Before End date is printed in black.

The 5kg product is packed into clear plastic bags that are overprinted in a blue background colour. The entire face of the bag has a black and gold border design. The top centre of the bag has the brand name Chenab in gold lettering, immediately above is a set of gold scales inside a green box. Below the brand name are the words 'Quality Spices' in white lettering. The bottom half of the packet has a viewing window that contains a sticky label with the product information written on it and the bar code.

Supreme Brand
The 1kg product size is sold in a clear plastic packet that is overprinted with a green background colour. The top centre of the packet has a yellow area that contains the brand name Supreme in black lettering with a set of gold scales directly above. Beneath the brand name is a gold oval with the word Quality in black lettering inside. The front of the packet has a large viewing window with a green and gold border in the centre of which is a white oblong with a yellow border that contains a sticky label with product information written on it and a bar code.

To assist Local Authorities in correct identification of these products, pictures of the products can be viewed at the links below.

In addition to the above products Tandoori Masala in 25kg sacks (contaminated with Sudan I, batch code 2933) are also distributed by Lubna Foods Ltd.

Actions 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.

It is believed that the trade withdrawal has been effective and that it is unlikely that any affected product remains on sale. 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 has 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 or catering establishments. Local authorities are therefore asked to consider providing local publicity at the next available opportunity to this issue and for that purpose may wish to refer to the Food Standards Agency’s previous press releases which can be found on this website.