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[abg]

Mirror.co.uk

359 FOODS IN CANCER ALERT

Feb 19 2005
Click here for a full list of the affected foods http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/sudani/sudanlist

FAMILIES nationwide were urgently warned yesterday not to eat 359 popular
foods containing a banned dye linked to cancer.

In Britain's biggest food recall, shops and supermarkets stripped their
shelves of well known products such as Pot Noodles, Heinz Weightwatchers, Colmans
seafood sauce, Sainsbury and Bird's Eye shepherd's pies and Tesco cottage pies.
Households were urged to check cupboards, fridges and freezers.

All the foods contain the Indian imported red dye Sudan 1, which is used for
colouring polishes, oils, solvents and waxes.

Dr Jon Bell, Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency said: "The dye
could contribute to an increased risk of cancer. At the levels present, it is
likely to be very small. There is no immediate risk of ill health. But it is
sensible to avoid eating more of the foods."

Sudan 1 entered a batch of chilli powder used in Crosse and Blackwell
Worcester Sauce made by Premier Foods. The sauce was then added to more than 350
products sold by Britain's major supermarkets.

They include 68 own-label lines from Asda, 55 from Waitrose, 45 from
Morrisons, 42 from Sainsbury, 39 from Tesco, 26 from Somerfield, 14 from Iceland and
15 from Marks & Spencer.

Although Premier Foods said it alerted the FSA as soon as possible last week,
some stores were not given a full list of affected products until late on
Thursday.

Defending the delay, the agency said: "We didn't have enough information to
act swiftly. We had to give people the full picture, not half the facts."

Premier Foods, of St Albans, Herts, claims it was "misled" by its supplier,
the spice and herb specialist Unbar Rothon. It is now seeking legal advice.

Sales director Ian York said last night: "Responsibility rests with the
supplier. Unbar Rothon certified the batch they supplied to us was clear of Sudan
1. I don't know where the buck stops. Legal action is an option." Unbar Rothon,
of Billericay, Essex, refused to comment.

The alert was raised three weeks ago by an Italian customer. Tests in the UK
12 days ago confirmed the foods were affected.

Mr York said: "We informed the FSA as soon as the presence of Sudan 1 was
confirmed. It has taken us all this time to chart which products were affected."

Premier chief executive David Newton, who is recovering at his Suffolk home
from a heart attack, was too ill to comment.

But the company said: "Everything in our record suggests we have done things
properly. We are part of a chain of events."

Last night Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury and Morrison/Safeway confirmed
they had removed the suspect foods.

Unilever, which makes Pot Noodles, said: "Once we were notified of what had
happened, we told all supermarkets to withdraw the products. It's only the
sachets of sauce which are affected, not the noodles themselves."

_________________

SCARE OVER RED DYE WHICH AFFECTS DNA

SUDAN 1 is a genotoxic carcinogen, which means it can cause cancer by
damaging people's genes.

Tests on animals have shown the red dye affects DNA and can cause cells to
mutate - raising the risk of developing any cancer.

Sudan 1 was never intended for human consumption and so it is not known how
much is needed to affect the body.

Because it is impossible to identify a safe level of exposure, governments
have decided to ban it from foodstuffs altogether. The Food Standards Agency,
headed by Dr Jon Bell, said: "Sudan 1 is thought to contribute to cancer and so
consumers should not be exposed to it unnecessarily.

_________________

Q & A

WHAT IS SUDAN 1?

SUDAN 1 is a red dye that is used for colouring solvents, oils, waxes,
petrol, and shoe and floor polishes. It is not allowed to be added to food in the UK
and the rest of the EU. However, inadvertent contamination of some food
products has been uncovered.

WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT?

THE Food Standards Agency is working with the food industry and local
authorities to make sure all the affected products are removed from the shelves and
is tracing any foods that may be contaminated.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS?

SUDAN 1 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.

HAS MY HEALTH BEEN DAMAGED?

THERE is no risk of immediate illness. If you have eaten these products the
risk should be very small. Being exposed to a substance that could contribute
to the development of cancer does not mean you will develop it. There are many
causes, including lifestyle and environment.

WHY WITHDRAW THE FOODS ?

SUDAN 1 is thought to contribute to cancer, and consumers should not be
exposed to it unnecessarily. Experts advise exposure should be as low as practical.

ARE RESTAURANTS AFFECTED?

Some restaurants and takeaways have been using products containing Sudan 1.
These are being withdrawn.

COULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN?

ALL dried and crushed or ground chilli coming into any EU state must have a
certificate showing it has been tested as being free of Sudan 1. Any
consignment that does not have a certificate is detained for sampling and analysis.

[DY]

Сообщение от abg

Mirror.co.uk

359 FOODS IN CANCER ALERT

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Чего ж только у соседей-то? А у нас то тоже самое, список, правда, покороче. http://www.fsai.ie/

[abg]

все супермаркеты-то одни, и то верно.