Sudan IV dye detected in various palm oil brands in the UK
Sudan dyes are red dyes that are used for colouring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes.
21/10/05 The illegal dye Sudan IV has been found in batches of Active Spiced Palm Oil, GhanaUK Trade Ventures Zomi Pure Palm Oil and Rika Ventures Palm Oil. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Food Alert for Action.
Sudan dyes are red dyes that are used for colouring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes. They are not allowed to be added to food in the UK and the rest of the European Union.
Sudan dyes have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals and these findings could also be significant for human health. Because Sudan dyes may contribute to the development of cancer in people they are not considered safe to eat.
But there is no immediate risk of illness. At the levels found in these foods the risk is likely to be very small.
Food alerts are the FSA's way of letting local authorities and consumers know about problems associated with food and, in some cases, providing details of specific action to be taken.
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