Emergency measures have been undertaken in the EU to stop the import into the EU of hot chilli products containing the known carcinogen 'Sudan red ', banned from foodstuffs.
The decision, taken this week by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH), follows the discovery in France of hot chilli imported products containing Sudan red 1, a chemical dye not permitted in food.
When France discovered the products in May this year, it immediately took interim protective measures and simultaneously informed the Commission and other Member States of the risk through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed.
The SCFCAH agreed today to extend these protective measures to the whole of the EU. Following the move, Member States must ensure that imports of crushed or ground hot chilli are tested to ensure that Sudan red 1 is not present. EU countries must inform the Commission through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of any Sudan red 1 discovered in such products.
The Commission confirmed that random checks will also be carried out on products already on the market.
Progress on verifying the absence of Sudan red 1 in hot chilli products on the EU market shall be reported to the Commission on a three-monthly basis.