Sudan Red

What is Sudan Red 1 ?
Sudan Red 1, also known as solvent yellow 14, is an industrial, red, oil-soluble dye, used legally to colour a number of non-food products such as shoe and floor polishes, oil, waxes and solvents. It has been shown to cause cancer in rats and consequently its use in any food or food product, is not allowed. Despite not being allowed, the dye has found its way, repeatedly, into food products such as chilli powder  - a commodity to which it apparently adds a particularly attractive colour. Consequently, traces of the dye are then found in other products where the chilli is used as an ingredient such as spice blends, sauces, spicy foods and prepared meals, etc. Related dyes, similarly misused, are Sudan 2, 3 and 4.

What is the background to the present “crisis” ?
As a result of the recent scare in the UK, food products containing Sudan 1, 2, 3 or 4 dyes are being withdrawn from the market since it was found that they all contained Sudan contaminated Worcester sauce as an ingredient. As a result of a previous scare in July 2003, all chilli imported into the UK had to be certified Sudan-free and consignments testing positive for the dye had to be destroyed. However, the consignment used in the Worcester sauce appears to have predated the above regulation resulting in the recall, at great cost and amidst great controversy, of over 500 food products to date.

Will Sudan Red be found in South Africa?
Because of a combination of factors such as the global nature of business, ignorance, lack of vigilance, the high cost of extensive testing of food products plus the ineffectiveness of food control authorities around the globe that are often under-resourced  - especially in the third world, Sudan 1, 2, 3 and 4 may very possibly be present in food products in South Africa. However, the recent, widely-publicized, incidence of contamination by Sudan 1 in this country should have been sufficient to ensure its absence, and that of related illegal colours, from food products on local shelves by now. A great deal of checking and testing is seemingly being done and more information on the local situation and possible levels of usage is likely to come to light in the ensuing days and weeks.

How Much Sudan Dye is Likely to be Found in Food and how Dangerous is it?
Fortunately, very small quantities of this illegal dye and others in the range appear to be required to achieve the desired colouring effect in chillies, the spice and ingredient in which it’s use appears to be favoured. The amount of dye in a contaminated chilli powder will naturally be much greater in the powder than in a sauce and ultimately would be much diluted, possibly to parts per billion in a final meal. In the UK, 80 milligrammes (0,08g) per kg have been found in chilli powder with about 26 times less being detected in sauces containing chilli (3mg / kg).
The advice given in the UK is that, at these levels, there is very little risk and virtually no immediate risk of illness. However, avoiding contaminated foods is the wise thing to do because it is continued exposure to Sudan Red colours that is a particular problem.

The FACS Position
The Food Advisory Consumer Service supports the Department of Health’s efforts in applying the law to rid the food industry of this illegal contaminant and further supports a massive increase in its capacity to strongly and meaningfully enforce, on a continuing and extended basis, the excellent food regulations that this country has in place. Any country seen not to be enforcing its regulations will be targeted by unscrupulous traders who are turned away from countries that actively apply the law.

F.A.C.S.  Scientific Director. March 2005.