Contamination of Bevelini Chilli Paste with Sudan I dye

Wednesday 4 August 2004

Category C: For action as deemed necessary

Ref: 36/2004 (England): SCO/97/04/04/03 (Scotland)

A batch of Bevelini Brand Chilli Paste 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 affected product was manufactured by Frantoio Bianco of Pontedassio in Italy for Bevelyn Ltd, Unit 10 Fieldings Road, Cheshunt EN8 9TL. Bevelyn Ltd distribute the product to small retail premises.

The affected batch is: Bevelini Chilli Paste 190g glass jar, 'best before' 28.03.05.

No other Bevelini brand products are known to be affected.

Identification of the product.

The chilli paste is packed into a 190g glass jar with a gold screw top lid, with a yellow tamper proof strip across the top. The label is placed around the middle of the jar. The front of the label has a picture of some tomatoes, red chilli peppers and garlic on a blue and green background, with the brand name Bevelini above and the words 'Chilli Paste' below. This information is contained in a box with a white border on a black background. The left hand side of the label gives information about the product in white writing on a black background. The right hand side of the label has the bar code beneath which is the 'best before' date, both are printed in black on a white background. A picture is available from the link at the foot of this page.

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.

The company has instigated a trade withdrawal however, it is not known how effective it has been and it is likely that affected product could still be 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 If any of this product is found within their area, enforcement officers should ensure that it is withdrawn and destroyed, if necessary using powers under The Food Safety Act.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 made the public aware of the recall, there remains the possibility that unused affected product is in consumers homes. Local authorities in whose area the product has been sold are therefore asked to consider providing local publicity on this issue at the next available opportunity.

It is essential that all non unitary authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions.