Contract research and development facility specialising in chemistry, microbiology, product and process development has test methods for all four Sudan Red colourants, which are illegal in foodstuffs
Working with its parent company, Food Products Association, the National Food Laboratory (NFL) says it has quickly developed a new method to test for the presence of Sudan dyes in both raw spice material and blended material products, to assure that current product inventories or product that is being purchased are free from these illegal colourants.
European and other international regulatory agencies have recently tested chili powders and a variety of products containing chili pepper, turmeric, paprika, red pepper and oleoresins for Sudan Red food dyes.
Sudan dyes are potential carcinogens and are prohibited for use in food products in the USA and most other countries.
Four types of Sudan dyes have been found, most notability Sudan I (Sudan Red) and Sudan IV (Scarlet Red).
Sudan Red is an industrial dye normally used to colour shoe polish, plastics, oil and other synthetic products.
Common thought is Sudan Red is being added to a food product to augment and preserve the red colour over time.
According to Julie Hill, vice president of chemistry at NFL, "Our current method can detect all four types of Sudan dyes at 0.01ppm in a variety of sample matrices.
"A number of recalls of food products suspected of containing these illegal dyes are talking place across the globe".
"With today's global sourcing of food ingredients, food companies are not taking any risks with their chili spice suppliers or products containing ingredients potentially contaminated with Sudan dyes," adds Kevin Buck, president of NFL.
"Our clients are looking for a reputable source to analyse their products and make sure there are no dye adulterants".
NFL is a contract research and development facility specialising in chemistry, microbiology, product and process development, consumer research and descriptive testing.
It describes itself as a global resource for food and food related industries.
With all these integrated resources under one roof, it says it helps its clients get new products to market faster and make protecting their existing brands easier.
