Sudan 1 is a red dye used to color polishes, waxes and solvents. It
isn't meant to be used in food because it's carcinogenic.

Europe is recalling ~500 food products because some Indian supplier
put Sudan 1 in its chili powder. What about America? The FDA has been
silent.

If Indians use Sudan 1 in their foods, then what about Indian
restaurants here?


EU-wide chilli recall ordered
Evening Standard
25 February 2005
The European Union has ordered all food companies in its member states
to remove stocks of chilli powder that may be contaminated with the
banned dye Sudan 1. It took action as China called for all food
imports from the EU to be tested for the red dye, which can lead to an
increased risk of cancer....

-----

Tracking down the rogue powder
(Filed: 26/02/2005)

The trail connecting the Indian consignment of contaminated chilli
powder, pieced together over the past week, highlights the complexity
of the food chain.

Sept 2002: Gautam Export Corporation, Mumbai, exports contaminated
chilli powder to British importer EW Spice Ltd, Ashby de la Zouch,
Leicestershire.

2002/3: Gautam Export later says the chilli was originally supplied by
Volga Spice, Mumbai.

Five-tonne consignment sold to East Anglian Food Ingredients, Clacton,
Essex and resold to spice and herb specialists Unbar Rothon,
Billericay.

Batch subsequently sold to Premier Foods - company behind Branston,
Typhoo, HP, Crosse & Blackwell and Sunpat. Chilli then used as
ingredient in Crosse & Blackwell Worcester Sauce.

May 2003: French scientists find traces of Sudan 1 in British food.
Contamination traced to East Anglia Food Ingredients. Affected chilli
powdered recalled.

July 2003: Food Standards Agency asks local authorities to recall 25
products. Contaminated batch sold to Premier Foods slips through the
net.

July 2003 to Jan 2005: FSA issues 56 food hazard warnings and food
alerts on Sudan dyes involving more than 200 products.

Feb 2004: FSA reminds food industry to check chilli powder imported
before July 2003.

Jan 2005: Italian scientists detect Sudan 1 dye in Crosse & Blackwell
Worcester Sauce.

Feb 7: Premier Food informs FSA of the contamination.

Feb 9: Premier Food tells FSA that five products could be affected by
the scare.

Feb 14: Premier Foods provides FSA with list of more than 160
customers in UK. Supermarkets start removing products.

Feb 18: FSA issues first public warning and publishes list of around
360 products at risk.

Feb 24: FSA's deadline to food industry passes. Total number of
products rises to 474.

<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/26/nfood326.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/02/26/ixhome.html>