Laziza International spice mixes and pastes

Wednesday 10 March 2004

Category C: For action as deemed necessary

Ref: 54/2003 (Update 1)

Food authorities were advised in Food Hazard Warning 54/2003 of Sudan I contamination of Laziza International brand Pasanda Masala Spice with Garlic/Ginger Spice Mix with Best Before End Date of October 2005 and Lot Code 2523026.

Since that time, further sampling of Laziza International spice mixes and pastes have shown Sudan I contamination of other varieties and date codes and lot numbers.

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 products were imported from Pakistan where they are manufactured by Convenience Food Industries (Pvt) Ltd.

There are four importers in England and these are:

• Opulent Foods Co Ltd, Alpine House, Unit 2, Honeypot Lane, London NW9 2RX
• Alamgeer Foods (UK) Ltd, Bridge House 119-123 Station Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 4BX
• A.K.M Foods Ltd, 2 Fairfield Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4NE
• Goldfayre Trading Ltd, 68 Port Street, Manchester, M1 2EG

Although only certain date codes and lot numbers of the affected products have tested positive for Sudan I, the manufacturer is withdrawing all date codes and lot numbers of the affected products and are carrying out an investigation into how the affected products have come to be contaminated.

The products affected are:

• Laziza International Pasanda Masala with Garlic/Ginger Spice Mix 100g
• Laziza International Nehari Masala with Garlic/Ginger Spice Mix 110g
• Laziza International Tikka Botti Paste 330g glass jar
• Laziza International Chicken Tikka Spice Mix Paste 330g glass jar

Laziza International Nehari and/or Pasanda spice mixes

The Laziza Nehari Masala spice mix and Laziza Pasanda spice mix are sold in cardboard cartons (100/110g).

The front of the carton shows meat in sauce at the top.

There is an orange strip across the centre of the front of the carton with the words 'with Garlic/Ginger' in white lettering to the right and 100 or 110 in green lettering and Grams in black lettering to the left. Below this strip is the Laziza International logo in white lettering on a red background.

The words Nehari or Pasanda, (Spice Mix) and Masala are printed across the bottom of the front of the carton in black lettering.

The rear of the carton has a predominantly white background with a Nehari or Pasanda recipe in English in black lettering on the bottom half and the same recipe in Arabic in black lettering on the top half. The Laziza International logo is again displayed on the rear of the carton.

The words 'Purity, Quality & Taste since 1985' are printed across the bottom of the rear of the carton in white lettering on a red background.

The ingredients are printed in the side of the carton and the lot codes and best before dates are printed in black lettering on the base of the carton.

Laziza International Brand Tikka Botti and/or Chicken Tikka Spice Pastes

The Laziza Tikka Botti paste and Laziza Chicken Tikka pastes are sold in 330g glass jars.

The Laziza International logo is on top of the lid in white lettering on a red background.

The Lot number and Best Before date is also embossed on the lid. The lid has a red border with white lettering.

The front label on the jar has the Laziza International Logo in the centre in white lettering on a red background. There is an image of a meat dish at the top of the label.

The product description Tikka Botti or Chicken Tikka is in brown lettering beneath the logo.

The word 'Paste' is in white lettering on a red background to the right of the logo and the words Home Made are in white lettering on a red background to the left of the logo.

The rear label has a recipe in brown lettering on a white background. The bottom border of the labels has the words Purity, Quality and Taste since 1985 in white lettering on an orange background.

To assist local authorities on correct identification of these product pictures can be viewed from the links below.

Actions to be taken by local authorities:

These products present a health risk if consumed in sufficient quantity, and do 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.

Although the company is undertaking a trade withdrawal there remains the possibility that some of the affected products may still be on sale in retail outlets or remain within the catering trade.

If any of these products are found within their area, enforcement officers should ensure that they are withdrawn and destroyed, if necessary using powers under The Food Safety Act.

As the company has not issued any press release or point of sale notices 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 the Food Standards Agency's previous press releases as a guide for any local news release.

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