[afro-nets] Huge Recall of Foods in South Africa, Sudan Red Alert

[Leela McCullough <leela@healthnet.org>]

Huge Recall of Foods in South Africa, Sudan Red Alert
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[Can colleagues in South Africa tell us more about this alert?
Thank you.]
http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/sudani/

Huge Recall of Foods in South Africa, Sudan Red Alert
Written by Christian Nordqvist
Editor, Medical News Today

21 Mar 2005

More than 1,000 stores across South Africa are recalling hun-
dreds of products contaminated with the illegal dye Sudan Red.
Sudan Red is a carcinogen - it has cancer causing ingredients.

South Africa's main retail outlets, such as Checkers, Spar and
Makro are taking contaminated products off their shelves. Prod-
ucts such as chilli powders, some spices and taste enhancers of-
ten contain Sudan Red.

What are Sudan Dyes?
http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/sudani/sudanI/
SOURCE: Food Standards Agency, UK

Sudan dyes are red dyes that are used for colouring solvents,
oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes. They have been
found in many countries, e.g. UK, in some chilli powder imported
from India. Sudan dyes are not allowed to be added to food in
most counties.

What is the health risk of Sudan I?
http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/sudani/sudanI/
SOURCE: Food Standards Agency, UK

Sudan I could contribute to an increased risk of cancer and it
is not possible to identify a safe level or to quantify the
risk. However, at the levels present in these food products the
risk is likely to be very small.

If I have eaten an affected product, has my health been damaged?
http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/sudani/sudanI/
SOURCE: Food Standards Agency, UK

There is no risk of immediate illness. If you have eaten these
products the risk is likely to be very small, and not eating
them any more is a sensible thing to do.

Being exposed to a substance that could contribute to the devel-
opment of cancer does not necessarily mean that you will develop
cancer. There are many causes of cancer, including lifestyle and
environment.

If the risk is very small why remove the foods?
http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/sudani/sudanI/
SOURCE: Food Standards Agency, UK

Sudan I is thought to contribute to cancer, and consumers should
not be exposed to it unnecessarily. Experts advise that exposure
should be as low as practical. It is also illegal in foods.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Editor, Medical News Today

________________________________

Leela McCullough, Ed.D.
Director of Information Services

SATELLIFE
30 California Street, Watertown, MA 02472, USA
Tel: +1-617-926-9400 Fax: +1-617-926-1212
mailto:leela@healthnet.org
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