Dye scare firm recalls its pickle

Spicy versions of Branston pickle recalled in Sudan 1 scare

Premier Foods, the company at the centre of the chilli powder dye contamination scare, has recalled two of its own products from sale.

Customers are asked to return to shops where they bought Branston Hot and Spicy Pickle (310g jars) and Branston Rich and Fruity Sauce (250g jars).

Production of this pickle at a factory in Bury St Edmunds ended a year ago.

The factory suffered a near disastrous fire last summer and production moved to other plants during rebuilding.

A chain of events put Premier Foods at the centre of the Sudan 1 scare.

East Anglian Food Ingredients of Clacton-on-Sea in Essex sold a consignment of Indian chilli powder coated with the dye Sudan 1 to spice and herb specialist Unbar Rothon of Billericay.

Huge recall of products

The whole of this consignment was sold to Premier Foods before it was added to Worcester sauce and used in a large range of food products.

In June 2003, EAFI was among a number of companies involved in the supply of chilli powder which was found to contain Sudan 1 by tests in France.

This time more than 400 UK products have been recalled from retailers.

Smaller shops, restaurants, hospitals, schools, catering companies and others responsible for preparing food have been asked to check ingredients for use of Worcester sauce which might contain Sudan 1.

The dye has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals - but the risk to consumers is extremely small.

Premier Foods said it was "taking the matter very seriously" and was doing all it could to resolve the problem.

A Thursday deadline has been set for recall of products which people believe are affected.