Controls on chemicals in food

Certain industrial dyes are not permitted for use in food. They include:

• Para Red
• Sudan dyes (Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III and Sudan IV, otherwise known as scarlet red)
• Rhodamine B
• Orange II

Some of these are carcinogenic whilst others are potentially genotoxic and/or carcinogenic to human health if consumed. However, Sudan dyes are used legally in shoe and floor polish, solvents, oils, waxes and petrol.

Industrial dyes have been used illegally in spices, sauces, chutneys, vinegars and palm oil, among many other products. Any food products found to contain industrial dyes must be recalled from the market.

Food alerts about illegal dyes

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) publishes information on food alerts, where food has been recalled due to the presence of illegal dyes.

Other illegal dyes are:

• butter yellow
• metanil yellow
• orange G
• toluidine red

Food imports and Sudan dyes

All food imported to Northern Ireland from third countries must meet EU food safety standards. Controls are conducted on imported food to ensure such standards are being met, including sampling relevant commodities to ensure the absence of Sudan dyes. Any consignments found to contain Sudan dyes will be detained and prevented from entering the market.

Currently, enhanced import controls, under Regulation 2019/1793, exist upon Palm Oil from Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. Imports from Ghana are listed on Annex II. Since 2003, all imports of dried, crushed and ground spices, curry powders, curcumin and palm oil have had to be accompanied by test certificates showing that they do not contain Sudan dyes. Any consignment without relevant documentation is detained and prevented from entering the market for sampling and analysis.

Border Control Post officers must also carry out random sampling. Any consignment found to contain industrial dye is destroyed.