Microbac Laboratories, Inc.

Southern Testing and Research Division

Foods Contaminated with Sudan 1 Food Dye Reported Found in UK

According to the Foods Standards Agency (FSA) in the United Kingdom, more than 450 adulterated foods have been recalled since May 2003, when it discovered that a dye, Sudan 1, was being found in foods. Because this dye is known to contribute to an increased risk of cancer, it is not approved, and therefore illegal for use in foods.  The prohibited dye evidently originated from a batch of  chili powder used to manufacture Worcester sauce, and a wide range of other products. According to the FSA the recall was an enormous effort involving  hundreds of products being removed from thousands of shops.  However the FSA now feels that the problem is largely under control.  

A complete discussion of the Sudan 1 problem and lists of food that have been recalled can be found at the following link: 

www.food.gov.uk/news/news archive/2005/feb/sudanlist

Southern Testing and Research Division has completed numerous analyses of  foods for Sudan 1 using HPLC with UV/Vis with a detection limit down to 0.4 ppm.  If you suspect your company's products could possibly be contaminated with this dye, we will be happy to help you verify whether, or not, your foods have a Sudan 1 problem.  The normal cost of the analysis is $150.00 per sample, with some discount being considered depending on the number of analyses requested. 

To discuss analysis of your food products, please call 

    Sheila Hinnant, Manager, Food Chemistry Department, at 252-265-5042, 

    or e-mail Sheila at shinnant@microbac.com,

     or use our Fax-Back Request/Response form.

Thank you for using Southern Testing and Research Division for your special problems and projects.