Contamination of various brands of palm oil bottled by MacPhilips Foods Ltd with Sudan IV dye

Monday 16 August 2004

Category C: For action as deemed necessary

Ref: 40/2004 (England) 41/2004 (Scotland - Category D)

Several brands of palm oil bottled by Macphilips Foods Ltd. have been found to be contaminated with the illegal dye, Sudan IV.

Sudan IV is not a permitted colour under the Colours in Food Regulations 1995. It is considered to be a genotoxic carcinogen and its presence, at any level, is not permitted in foodstuffs for any purpose.

The affected products were bottled by Macphilips Foods Ltd. of Unit 2, Golden House, Waterden Road, Stratford, London E15 2EE for the following companies:

1. Jumbo UK Ltd
Unit 4a Golden House
Waterden Road
London E15 2EE

2. Wanis Ltd
Golden House
Waterden Road
London E15 2EE

Macphilips Foods Ltd have ceased distributing the affected products and are instigating a trade withdrawal.

The affected products are:

Bottled For Wanis Ltd:

• Golden Sun Brand Palm Oil, 1 Litre, 500ml, 370ml sizes 'best before' Dec 2006
• Pure Zomi Oil, 500ml size, 'best before' Dec 2006

Bottled For Macphilips Foods Ltd:

• Macphilips Foods Ltd. Own Brand Palm Oil, 2 Litre size, 'best before' Dec 2006.

Bottled For Jumbo UK Ltd:

• Villagers Brand Palm Oil, 750ml size, 'best before' Dec 2006
• Jumbo UK Ltd. Own Brand Nigerian Palm Oil, 2 litre, 1 litre, 455ml sizes, 'best before' Dec 2006
• Jumbo UK Ltd. Own Brand Sierra Leone Palm Oil, 2 litre, 1 litre, 455ml sizes, 'best before' Dec 2005
• Jumbo UK Ltd. Own Brand Zomi Oil, 2 litre, 1 litre, 455ml sizes, 'best before' Dec 2006
• Jumbo UK Ltd. Own Brand Zomi Palm Oil, Batch Code J003, 2 Litre size, 'best before' Dec 2006
• Jumbo UK Ltd. Own Brand Palm Oil, Batch Code J003, 1 litre size, 'best before' Dec 2005
• Jumbo UK Ltd. Own Brand Palm Oil, 455g size, 'best before' Dec 2005

Identification of the products
To assist local authorities in correct identification of these products, a picture of each product can be viewed from the link at the foot of this page.

Actions to be taken by local authorities
The products present a health risk if consumed in sufficient quantity, and do not comply with the food safety requirements specified in the Food Safety Act 1990 due to contamination with Sudan IV. In addition Sudan IV is not a permitted colour.

It is not certain whether the trade withdrawal has been fully effective and it is likely that affected product may still be on sale. If any of this product is found within their area, enforcement officers should ensure that it is withdrawn and destroyed, if necessary using powers under The Food Safety Act. As the company have not issued any press release or made the public aware of the recall, there remains the possibility that unused affected product is in consumers homes. Local authorities are therefore asked, to consider providing local publicity on this issue at the next available opportunity.

It is essential that all non-unitary authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions.