For the purposes of these controls, they are chilli products such as dried and crushed or ground chillies and curry powder. It does not cover fresh or whole dried chillies, composite products. It also includes turmeric and paprika.
A wide range of capsicum family products have been found to be contaminated with Sudan dye. Sudan dyes are red dyes that are used for industrial purposes such as colouring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol and shoe and floor polishes. there are 4 Sudan dyes called: Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III and Sudan IV (otherwise known as Scarlet Red)
Sudan dyes have been described as a genotoxic carcinogen. This means that it mutates DNA in cells and causes cancer. There is no safe level for the Sudan dye in foods and it should therefore never be used for colouring food.
Imports of chilli, chilli products, turmeric and paprika products are required to have an analytical report demonstrating that the consignment does not contain any Sudan I, II, III or IV dyes. There should be a way of cross referencing the consignment with the analytical report, eg. labelling. It is an offence to import without the analytical certificate.
Southampton City Council
