Chilli, Chilli Products and Spices
Contact Details:
Address: The Port Health Service,
Meridians House,
Meridians Cross,
7 Ocean Way,
Ocean Village,
Southampton
Postcode: SO14 3TJ
Telephone: 023 8022 6631
Email: port.health@southampton.gov.uk
Fax: 023 8023 3859
Details of service:
What are chilli and chilli products?
For the purposes of these controls, they are chilli products such as dried and crushed or ground chillies and curry powder. It does not cover fresh or whole dried chillies, composite products. It also includes turmeric and paprika.
Why are there emergency controls on theses products?
A wide range of capsicum family products have been found to be contaminated with Sudan dye. Sudan dyes are red dyes that are used for industrial purposes such as colouring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol and shoe and floor polishes. there are 4 Sudan dyes called: Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III and Sudan IV (otherwise known as Scarlet Red)
What effect does Sudan dye have on human health?
Sudan dyes have been described as a genotoxic carcinogen. This means that it mutates DNA in cells and causes cancer. There is no safe level for the Sudan dye in foods and it should therefore never be used for colouring food.
How can I import chilli and chilli products or certain other spices?
Imports of chilli, chilli products, turmeric and paprika products are required to have an analytical report demonstrating that the consignment does not contain any Sudan I, II, III or IV dyes. There should be a way of cross referencing the consignment with the analytical report, eg. labelling. It is an offence to import without the analytical certificate.
What options are available should an import of chilli, chilli products or certain spices not arrive with an analytical report?
Port Health can serve a notice and have the product destroyed.
The importer can have the products tested at the Public Analyst laboratory by himself or by Port Health. This product will be detained until the laboratory result has been received. Such analysis can cost over £200. the costs of such analysis, storage or destruction have to be paid for by the importer.
The importer can re-export the products back to where they came from.
What legislation controls the imports of chilli and chilli products?
The Food (Chilli and Chilli Products, Curcuma and Palm Oil) (Emergency Control) (England) (Regulations 2005)
Last updated: 12 January 2007
