Nearly 2,000 retailers and caterers across Herefordshire have been written to by Environment Health Officers to reinforce the Food Standards Agency’s food dye alert.
The Agency raised the alarm last week, and it has now called on local authorities, like Herefordshire Council, to contact all retailers and caterers to ensure no-one misses the alert in relation to Sudan 1.
It has meant Herefordshire Council’s Environmental Health Officers writing to 1,900 companies across the county.
“Although national publicity has mean that the message has got through to many retailers and caterers, the Agency is keen to insure that as many people as possible get the message and take action,” said Andy Tector, Herefordshire Council’s Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards.
“The recall is purely a precaution. There is evidence that high levels of Sudan 1 can cause cancer in laboratory animals and therefore that there may be a risk to humans.
“However, the level of contamination in the majority of the products is believed to be very low,” he added.
Businesses or the public who have any concerns, or require further information, are being advised to visit the FSA website, http://www.food.gov.uk/, or telephone Herefordshire Council’s Environmental Health team on (01432) 261667.