Contamination of Mutti SPA Brand Sugo Piu Al Peperoncino Sauce 290g with Sudan I dye

Heads of Environmental Health Services and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware that Mutti SPA brand of Sugo Piu Al Peperoncino sauce 290g has been found to be contaminated with the illegal dye, Sudan I.

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 product with the following Batch Code:

Best Before 31/12/04 290g

No other Mutti SPA products are known to be affected.

Identification of the product
The sauce is in a clear glass jar with a green screw top cap. The paper label is attached to the bottom half of the jar, displaying the brand name, sauce description and an image of a tomato surrounded by chilli peppers.

To assist Local Authorities in correct identification of this product, pictures of the product can be viewed on the FSA website through the link below.

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 If any of this product is found within their area, enforcement officers should ensure that it is withdrawn and destroyed, if necessary using powers under The Food Safety Act.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 have not issued any press release or point of sale notices in retail outlets, there remains the possibility that unused affected product is in consumers homes. Local authorities are therefore asked to consider providing local publicity at the next available opportunity to this issue. For that purpose local authorities may wish to refer to previous Food Standards Agency press releases which can be found on the FSA website as a guide as to what to say in any local news release.