FSA says majority of Sudan I containing products removed

25/02/05 The UK Food Standards Agency has said today that the vast majority of food that was contaminated with Sudan I has been removed from shops by the companies concerned.This was in response to the deadline given to food companies to meet their legal responsibility to withdraw the affected products from sale. The Agency's latest list of 146 new affected products bringing the total to 474. The Agency said that it has contacted the major catering suppliers and they have withdrawn affected products, these have appeared on the lists on the FSA website. In addition, more than 150 smaller, catering suppliers, who received contaminated products, have withdrawn products from their customers.

Consumers are reminded that the risk is very small, that there is no risk of immediate illness but it is sensible not to eat affected products. No groups, whether young, in hospital, elderly or pregnant are exposed to anything other than a very small risk. David Statham, Director of Enforcement at the Food Standards Agency said: 'This has been an enormous undertaking. Hundreds of products have been affected in thousands of shops. The vast majority of contaminated foods has now been removed and that provides some reassurance to consumers. However, there may be some products remaining both in shops and in the catering sector and we will continue to work with local authorities to remove them as far as is practical and achievable. 'The risk to health is very small, and it is sensible not to eat these foods, but there can be no doubt that consumers should not have been exposed to these contaminated products. We have worked hard to ensure that food companies meet their responsibilities to consumers. Local authorities will check what actions have been taken. We will also work with them in considering what enforcement action may be appropriate following these investigations.”