/ 8 April 2005

Wife nearly divorced over food-dye name

A man in eastern China tried to divorce his wife who has the same Chinese name as the cancer-causing dye Sudan I, which has made headlines across China in a recent food scare, state media reported on Friday.

The husband of Su Danhong, the same Chinese name for the harmful Sudan Red dye, came home to Guangwu township in Anhui province one day and told his wife her name would bring bad luck to the family, the Anhui Market News reported.

”Your name is unlucky and would bring disasters to our family. I heard the whole country is after people who are called Su Danhong,” he reportedly told his wife.

He later told Su he planned to divorce her.

The couple had a heated argument on Thursday after Su refused to go to the registry office to get a divorce, the report said.

The couple’s noisy row drew the attention of neighbours and local officials, who explained to them the news surrounding the food scare.

”Su Danhong’s husband expressed his regret over his ignorance, hit himself on his ear and said he won’t listen to hearsays anymore,” the report said.

A nationwide hunt for food products containing cancer-causing dye Sudan I was launched across China after it was detected in food and ingredients sold or used by fast food chain KFC and a subsidiary of American company Heinz.

The action has forced companies to suspend sales of the suspect products in China. Officials said they will intensify efforts to crack down on companies that have continued to produce the harmful dye. — Sapa-AFP