5 March 2007
The Department of Health held a meeting with representatives of the Consumer
Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) and the South African Association for
Food Science and Technology in Pretoria today to discuss the allegations that
there are chilli products that may be contaminated with Sudan Red dyes.
At the meeting, CGCSA which represents some of the producers and major food
retailers, reported on the measures that have been taken to remove from the
shelves the products implicated in the media report.
The Department of Health has requested local authorities in all provinces to
ensure that all chilli products that are suspected to contain Sudan Red dyes
arising from the report of the Sunday Times are removed from all retailers.
The products will be tested for Sudan Red to verify the allegations that
have been made by the Sunday Times. Appropriate action as provided for under
the regulations related to inspections and investigations will be taken if the
products test positive.
One of the producers of the implicated products has already submitted
samples from the same batch tested by Sunday Times to the Department of Health
for investigation. The Department intends engaging with the four other
producers implicated on the matter.
Local authorities in whose areas of jurisdiction the implicated products are
processed have been urged to seriously consider further law enforcement steps,
including prosecution of the companies concerned if the results of the samples
taken by them confirm the presence of Sudan Red dyes.
Local authorities are further requested to sample all chilli powders and
products that may contain chilli powders, including sauces, which were not a
subject of the media report. If any of the Sudan Red dyes are detected, these
products should be removed from the shelves and detained pending further
analyses.
Port Health Officers have been requested to continue to detain and sample
all consignments of imported chilli powders and products that may contain
chilli powders, including sauces, and only release such consignments once the
analysis results indicate that it is free of Sudan Red dyes.
For enquiries, contact:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
5 March 2007
