Contamination of Liebe brand palm oils with Sudan IV dye

Thursday 9 December 2004

Food Alert: for Action

Ref: 69/2004 (England): 70/2004 (Scotland)

Heads of Environmental Health Services and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware that Liebe brand palm oils have been found to be contaminated with the illegal dye Sudan IV. So far the following Liebe brand palm oils are known to be contaminated:

• Liebe Pure Palm Oil
• Liebe Pure Zomie Palm Oil

(No minimum durability dates or batch codes)

Sudan IV is not a permitted colour under the Colour 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.

This brand of palm oil is manufactured in Ghana and imported and packaged by:

Liebe Enterprises
Unit 1& 2
Larnaca Works
Grange Walk
London SE1 3EW

Despite enquiries by the local authority, Liebe Enterprises have not provided distribution details. This product appears to be distributed through direct van sales, where retailers who sell African or African-Caribbean food products are the main clients.

Identification of the Product
These products are sold in various sizes and packages. Liebe Pure Palm Oil has been found to be sold in plastic cartons (1 litre, 2.5 litre and 5 litre sizes) and large glass jars (750ml). Liebe Pure Zomie Palm Oil is also sold in plastic cartons of the same sizes and in glass jars (480ml and 750ml). However, other sizes of this product may exist. If local authorities find any other sizes, they should sample the products and notify the Agency of any positive results. Local authorities should also ensure appropriate enforcement action is taken.

Each glass jar bears a paper label with the brand name �Liebe� written in white lettering. Underneath this �Pure Palm Oil� or �Pure Zomie Palm Oil� is written in white lettering on a black background. The label also has the address of the UK importer and words �expiry date� with a series of years and months, but with no indication as to what month or what year.

In addition, Liebe Pure Palm Oil has been found overstickered with another paper label saying �Nelson Palm Oil� and may have a best before date of 21/10/2005.

To assist local authorities in correct identification of these products, pictures of the products are attached below.

Actions to be taken by local authorities:
These 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.

Enforcement officers should contact the premises in their area that they think are likely to sell these products. If any of these products are found they should ensure that they are withdrawn from sale and destroyed, if necessary using powers under the Food Safety Act 1990.

All local authorities should be aware of the affected products and take appropriate action should they be found within their area during routine inspections.

It is essential that all Non Unitary Authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions.