Sudan IV dye contamination of various brands of palm oil
Wednesday 19 October 2005
Food Alert: for Action
Ref: 58/2005
Palm Oils labelled as Active Spiced Palm Oil, GhanaUK Trade Ventures Zomi Pure Palm Oil and Rika Ventures Palm Oil have been found to be contaminated with the illegal dye, Sudan IV. So far the following sizes and date codes of these products are known to be contaminated:
Active Spiced Palm Oil, 500ml. No minimum durability date or batch code
GhanaUK Trade Brand Zomi Pure Palm Oil, 1 Litre. Expiry Date: September 2007
Rika Ventures Palm Oil, 0.5 Litres. No minimum durability date or batch code.
Despite investigations by the local authority, information regarding importation and distribution is not available. However, action has been taken to remove the palm oil from sale at the premises.
The Agency therefore has no details of distribution outlets. This product appears to be distributed through direct van sales, where retailers who sell African or African-Caribbean food products are the main clients.
Identification of the products
Active Spiced Palm Oil is imported and packed by Maduro Ltd.
GhanaUK Trade Brand Zomi Pure Palm Oil is exported from Ghana by Ghana/UK Trade Ventures Ltd, PO Box CT 4763, Accra, Ghana.
Rika Ventures Palm Oil is distributed by Home Foods (UK) Ltd the country of origin is unknown.
Action 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 their contamination with Sudan IV.
All local authorities should have regard to these products and take appropriate action should it be found within their area during routine inspections.
It is essential that all non-unitary authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions. Sudan IV 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.