Consumers should be aware that a Food Business Operator (FBO) based in South Africa, Rolkem 'Expressions in Colour' has been producing a range of products for use in cakes and confectionary for which they have failed to provide assurances of product safety.
Two products were previously recalled due to elevated levels of copper (details can be found in FSA-PRIN-27-2108 issued on 11 May 2018). Since that recall, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have made concerted efforts to ascertain an accurate understanding of the Rolkem products range and requested a number of ingredient details from Rolkem to confirm their suitability for use in food. This information has not been provided.
Following recent efforts to contact the FBO, to which we have received no satisfactory response, we have taken the decision to issue this Food Alert for Action to local authorities for the full Rolkem food range.
Product details
| Pack size | All sizes |
| Batch code | All batch codes |
| Lot number | All lot numbers |
| Use by | All dates |
| Best before | All dates |
No other Rolkem products are known to be affected.
Risk statement
These products are unlikely to be consumed in such levels as to cause any serious risk to health.
However, we have some concerns that products may contain high levels of heavy metals, contain unapproved non-food pigments and/or other unapproved ingredients.
It has not been possible to confirm the ingredients of a number of Rolkem products therefore the risk to consumers cannot be established.
Our advice to consumers
If you have bought any of the above products, do not use or consume them or use them in products for consumption by others.
The FSA and FSS have advised local authorities with specialist cake decorating suppliers in their areas to visit these businesses to determine whether the premises hold any products supplied by Rolkem and withdraw them from sale.
The FSA and FSS have advised local authorities with specialist cake decorating suppliers in their areas to visit these businesses to determine whether the premises hold any products supplied by Rolkem and withdraw them from sale.
Previous alert
About product recalls and withdrawals
If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product). The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food. In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.
Ref: FSA-FAFA-01-2018