European Commission criticises UK government for handling of Sudan I food recall

The UK ’s Food Standards Agency has been managing a large-scale food recall after a batch of Worcester sauce was found to be contaminated by the food colour Sudan I, a dye which can cause cancer. The dye was found in chilli powder used to make the Worcester sauce, which was then used as an ingredient in many other products. To date, a total of 474 products have been recalled by food retailers across the country.

The Food Standards Agency used its website as the main source of recall information, a decision criticised by the European Commission as well as by consumers and industry sources. The website became inundated with users, resulting in denial of access for many during the first few hours of the crisis.

In a written press statement the EC said that the Commission regretted that the UK provided information for the other member states through the FSA website and not through the EC’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed system (RASFF).

The Commission asked the UK to use the RASFF channel for any future such incidents.

The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is a system which has been in place since 1979 to provide the control authorities with an effective tool for exchange of information on measures taken to ensure food safety.

•Date: 1st March 2005 • Region: UK •Type: Article •Topic: Retail BC
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