The South African Port Health authorities have been checking all incoming consignments of spices and similar products since 5 March 2005 and Robertsons is investigating with the relevant authorities how a particular contamination of chillies with Sudan Red occurred, and why it was not detected prior to delivery.
Since the EU Sudan Red ban in 2003, Robertsons Spices says it has substantially upgraded its quality assurance procedures. As recently as February 2005, Robertsons said it undertook a full audit of all overseas suppliers and discussed Sudan Red during its audits with the relevant country authorities.
The products by Robertsons that were withdrawn on Friday "as an extreme precautionary measure" because they use similar raw materials to the Robertsons Peri Peri spice, include: Robertson's Flavaz Piquant Peri Peri, Portuguese chicken, Louisiana Cajun, Gold & Crispy Peri Peri; Peri Peri Aromat; Papmix Hot Chakalaka ; Knorrox Chakalaka cube, Robertsons 1kg Food Solutions Cajun Spice, Hellman's 3 lt Food Solutions Curry Dressing, Knorr 2 lt Food Solutions Curry Sauce, Knorr 2 lt Food Solutions Peri Peri Sauce, Crispa Coatings Spicy Cajun 1kg.
"We would emphasise that we have no scientific evidence that the above products are contaminated with 'Sudan Red', however given our responsibility to our consumers, we prefer to err on the side of caution with regard to consumer safety," a Robertsons statement read.
Consumers who have these above products in their possession, should please telephone: 0860 331 441 to arrange a replacement voucher.
The Department of Health has endorsed the above actions. The Director of Food Control, Dr Theo van der Venter, has also said there was no reason to panic as the levels of Sudan Red in food are very small.
In addition, Professor Alan Boobis, a toxicologist at the Imperial College, London, also confirmed that the health risk was negligible. "We know from other potent carcinogens that you have to have a high dose, the sort that makes you ill, or you need exposure for a long period of time," Professor Boobis said.
Robertsons continued: "We can personally assure our consumers that we are taking swift and appropriate action to protect them. We will only authorise release of the products once we are completely confident that the products are free of Sudan Red.
"Robertsons takes the safety and health of our consumers very seriously thus we intend to lead the industry in setting new benchmarks for testing of Sudan Red."
Robertsons Spices said it purchased from international sources, and all deliveries were backed up with certificates and test results from the relevant Spice Board, stating the product is free of Sudan Red, "hence our shock at the test results... As a consequence we have instituted our own sampling analysis to ensure our products are free of Sudan Red".
