Sudan red food dyes in Australia

21 February 2005

The United Kingdom Food Standards Agency (UKFSA) has recently advised consumers not to eat a wide range of foods that have been inadvertently contaminated with an illegal dye, Sudan I. This dye was in a batch of chilli powder used to manufacture a Worcester sauce, which was then used as an ingredient in a wide range of UK products.

Most of these UK products are fresh or chilled so it appears unlikely that any of the affected batches are present in Australia.   However, this is being further investigated through industry and the states and territories.

Sudan red food dyes, including Sudan I, are not approved for use in Australia.

There is questionable evidence that Sudan I dye may be associated with cancer formation   in laboratory animals, but there is no evidence that they can cause harm in humans, particular at the low levels found in these foods.  

Based on the currently available data, the potential risk to human health from low levels of Sudan I is extremely low.

A national survey coordinated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, and carried out by the states and territories in March 2004, tested chilli and paprika powders and found that there were no detections of Sudan dyes in the products tested . For the full report see Summer - Autumn 2004 edition of Food Surveillance ANZ.

FSANZ is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide further updates, when available.