One of South Africa’s large spice manufacturers, Robertsons, said on Tuesday it has withdrawn some of its products from supermarket shelves following the Sudan Red dye scare.
”The products were withdrawn as an extreme precautionary measure because they use similar raw materials to the Robertsons peri peri spice withdrawn on Friday,” the company said in a statement.
Robertsons has withdrawn its Flavaz Piquant Peri Peri, Portuguese Chicken, Louisiana Cajun, Gold and Crispy Peri Peri, Peri Peri Aromat, Papmix Hot Chakalaka, Knorrox Chakalaka Cube, Robertsons 1kg Food Solutions Cajun Spice, Hellman’s three-litre Food Solutions Curry Dressing, Knorr two-litre Food Solutions Curry Sauce, Knorr two-litre Food Solutions Peri Peri Sauce and Crispa Coatings Spicy Cajun 1kg.
The company said it is removing the products as a precautionary measure.
”We would emphasise that we have no scientific evidence that the above products are contaminated with Sudan Red; however, given our responsibility to our consumers, we prefer to err on the side of caution with regard to consumer safety.”
Robertsons said its actions have the backing of the Department of Health.
The company said a toxicologist at the Imperial College in London, Prof Alan Boobis, has confirmed the health risk is negligible.
”We know from other potent carcinogens that you have to have a high dose, the sort that makes you ill, or you need exposure for a long period of time,” Robertsons quoted Boobis as saying.
On Monday, the Department of Health directed its provincial counterparts and local authorities to remove various chilli powder and chilli-powder products from shop shelves and detain them for further analysis for the Sudan Red colourant.
”In addition, local authorities have been requested to sample all other chilli powders and related products, and where any Sudan dyes are detected, the relevant products should be removed from the shelves and destroyed,” the department said in a statement on Monday.
This action comes after a series of random tests conducted by the department in the food industry on a variety of foodstuffs, including chilli powder, sauces and seasoning products, tested positive for minute amounts of the Sudan Red dye.
”The Sudan Red is a commercial dye — used illegally in food — and could increase the risk of cancer if consumed over a long period in large quantities.
”The colourant is prohibited for use by the Regulations Relating to Food Colorants of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act 54 of 1972.”
Implicated companies and affected retailers have also been requested to recall their products nationally and to ensure that any chilli powder and related food substances do not contain the prohibited dye.
”Consumers who may have purchased any of the contaminated products are requested to dispose of it,” the department said. — Sapa