Contamination of various brands of palm oil bottled by MacPhilips Foods Ltd with Sudan IV dye (update 1)

Tuesday 12 October 2004

Category C: For action as deemed necessary

Ref: 40/2004 (Update 1)

Food Hazard Warning 40/2004 advised of Sudan IV contamination of various brand palm oils bottled by Macphilips Foods Ltd.

Since that time additional container sizes to those previously notified for some of the products have been found on sale in retail premises.

The affected products were bottled by Macphilips Foods Ltd. of Unit 2, Golden House, Waterden Road, Stratford, London E15 2EE, for the following Companies;

1. Jumbo UK Ltd
Unit 4a Golden House
Waterden Road
London E15 2EE

2. Wanis Ltd
Golden House
Waterden Road
London E15 2EE

The Additional Affected Products Are:

Bottled For Wanis Ltd,

• Golden Sun Pure Zomi Oil, 1 Litre size, 'best before' Dec 2006.

Bottled For Macphilips Foods Ltd,

• Macphilips Foods Ltd. Own Brand Zomi Oil, 450ml size, 'best before' Dec 2006.

Bottled For Jumbo UK Ltd,

• Jumbo UK Ltd. Own Brand Zomi Oil, 5 Litre size 'best before' Dec 2004.

Identification of the products
To assist local authorities in correct identification of these products, a picture of each can be viewed 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 IV. In addition, Sudan IV is not a permitted colour.

If these products are found within their area, enforcement officers should ensure that they are withdrawn and destroyed, if necessary using powers under The Food Safety Act.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 have not issued any press release or made the public aware of the withdrawal, there remains the possibility that unused affected product is in consumers' homes. Local authorities 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.