Sudan dyes
Sudan dyes are red dyes that are used for colouring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes. They have been found in some chilli powder imported from India. They have also been found in a number of food products containing this chilli powder. Sudan dyes are not allowed to be added to food in the UK and the rest of the EU.
Fresh chillies are not affected. Investigations are continuing to identify whether any other products contain the following dyes, Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III and Sudan IV (otherwise known as scarlet red).
The Agency is working with local authorities to stop products containing Sudan dyes from being sold in the UK. It is also asking companies that produce and sell these products to ensure that they are withdrawn and recalled.
Since July 2003, cargoes of dried and crushed or ground chilli and curry powders coming into any EU Member State have to be accompanied by a certificate showing they have been tested and found to be free of Sudan I. Any consignment that does not have a certificate must be detained for sampling and analysis.
Random sampling must also be undertaken both at ports and by local authorities. The FSA and local authorities randomly sample more than 1000 consignments a year of imported chilli products. All consignments found to contain Sudan I to IV must be destroyed. When a consignment is split, each part must be accompanied by a copy of the certificate.
To keep up to date with all food alerts relating to Sudan dyes, click here.
More advice from our eatwell website
Find out more
EU agrees further Sudan dye checks
The European Union has today agreed additional checks on foods for contamination with illegal Sudan dyes.
Products known to be affected with Sudan dyes
This list is updated as products containing Sudan dyes come to the Agency's notice. It does not include the products involved in the major recall that took place in February 2005. A separate list was issued for that recall and you will find a link to it at the foot of this page.
Sudan I consolidated product list from February 2005 recall
We have now consolidated the products affected by the Premier recall into a single numbered list to include the new products published on 8 March 2005. This should make it easier for you to print off and check. It combines the original list and four updates issued since 18 February 2005.
Sudan I - your questions answered
Find out more about the red dye Sudan I.
Sudan I timeline
Sudan I was first discovered in adulterated chilli products in May 2003. Since then the Food Standards Agency has been working to ensure that it has been kept out of the food chain. Read our timeline to find out what happened between May 2003 and the major recall of products in February 2005.
Sudan dyes in chilli imported from India: Guidance notes
The Food Standards Agency investigations have identified that certain food products sold in the UK have been found to contain chilli powder, chilli products or curry powder imported from India illegally contaminated with the Sudan dyes which are chemicals that could cause cancer.
Sudan I in hot chilli products
Food Standards Agency Scotland has alerted stakeholders to a European Commission decision relating to the dye Sudan I in hot chilli products.The dye is not a permitted food colour in the European Union, and is a suspected genotoxic carcinogen.
Review of Sudan I report published
The review into the Sudan I incident undertaken by an independent review panel and chaired by Professor Douglas Georgala CBE is published today. The Agency's response to the review, and its recommendations, will now be discussed at the FSA's Open Board Meeting in London next Thursday. The incident in February 2005 resulted in the UK's largest food recall.
Sudan I review panel public hearings
The FSA has announced the panel and terms of reference for the Review of the Sudan I industrial dyes incident that took place in February and March 2005. The panel discussions will be held in public so please let us know if you want to observe them.