Curry powder alert

Curry fans are warned to check their cupboards

Trading standards staff in the East Midlands are issuing an urgent warning to curry lovers after products containing a banned cancer causing dye were found on sale.

The toxic chemical has been detected in more than 20 different food items supplied by two importers.

Nottingham Trading Standards says it has received a hazard warning from the Food Standards Agency with details of products suspected of containing the carcinogenic substance.

The red dye has been discovered in relishes, chutneys and packet seasonings produced by importers Shaws Ltd in Huddersfield and BE International Foods - known as the "Rajah" brand.

People are being urged to throw away any of the listed items and shops have been urged not to sell these stocks.

Officials say the risk of developing cancer as a result of eating these products is minimal, so if people have consumed the dye in small traces their health is not seriously threatened.