The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) asked the Department of Health on Monday to update its list of products containing the carcinogenic Sudan Red food dye, saying such products had already been removed from shelves and production lines.
Twenty-four products were flagged as containing the dye, which is used illegally in food products such as chilli powder, spices, sauces and related products.
The department ordered that they be removed from sale and destroyed, and began a campaign to test products for the dye.
A recent meeting of growers, converters, manufacturers, packers and vendors demonstrated that production lines were clear of Sudan dyes and appropriate labelling would indicate that the product was free of the dye, Michael Broughton of the CGCSA said in a statement.
”In this regard, the CGCSA has asked the Department of Health to update its website, removing those products which have been cleared.”
Broughton warned that the only problems which could now arise would be in the informal sector and urged consumers to buy their products from reputable shops and supermarkets.
”Some 50% of the spice trade takes place in this environment, and it is an area where the CGCSA has no influence,” he said.
”We would thus caution consumers to purchase their products in reputable shops and supermarkets where they have the assurance that all products have been cleared of Sudan Red.”
A department spokesperson was not immediately available to comment. – Sapa