Beijing's quality and technical supervision bureau announced on
Wednesday that the carcinogenic additive, Sudan Red I, was
discovered in bottled chilli oil produced by the Beijing Tianfu
Food Co Ltd. A total of 640 boxes of the company's pepper products,
including chilli oil and chilli sauce, have been identified and
sealed.
Sample tests conducted by the bureau found traces of the dye
from a batch of chili oil with a October 1, 2005 date of
manufacture. The bureau ordered further tests of the company's
products and found the dye in products dated as far back as August
17.
Investigations revealed that all 1,600 bottles of oil produced
on October 1 were sold, mostly to self-employed vendors in northern
Beijing's Changping Shuitun Market and Dazhongsi Market.
The company said raw peppers used in the oil production were
purchased from the No. 49 stall at Dazhongsi wholesale market. A
further investigation is being conducted on the pepper sources.
Beijing Tianfu mainly produces condiments such as sesame oil,
sesame sauce and chilli oil.
Its chilli oil was first found to have contained Sudan I this
March, but bureau officials declined to explain why the banned
substance was found again.
The Food Safety Office under the Beijing municipal government
issued an urgent notice on Wednesday evening banning Tianfu's
chilli oil products from all stores, supermarkets and markets in
the city. Customers who have bought any of their products can get
refunds against valid receipts.
Sudan I is a red dye used for coloring solvents, oils, waxes,
petrol, shoe and floor polishes. Sudan I cannot safely be used in
food, as it can increase the risk of cancer.
(China Daily December 2, 2005)