Kulapavana 0 Report post Posted May 4, 2005 UK to test all chilli, turmeric from Asian Age London, May 3, 2005: All imports of spices, including chilli powder and turmeric from countries like India, into Britain are to be subjected to rigorous new tests after concern that they contain illegal dyes linked to cancer. Testing may begin as early as Friday and the spice test list will be finalised by this week. The UK’s Food Standards Agency is insisting on the stringent import checks after Sudan I and Para Red, carcinogenic chemical dyes banned from the food chain in Europe, were found in a batch of chilli powder, allegedly traced back to India, and paprika on sale in Britain. The authorities here believe they could also have been used to colour cayenne pepper and turmeric. "We will be working with the food industry to take this forward. The agency believes that any risk to the general public is likely to be very small," an FSA spokesperson said. The decision to test all spices on entry to Britain threatens to throw the UK catering industry into chaos. Supermarkets and corner shops will have substantial quantities of food recalled if test results prove positive. The checks have been ordered even as the alarm over two more industrial textile dyes is raised by the European Commission. Rhodamine B and Orange II, which are also linked to cancer, are being used illicitly in food and spices. They have been detected in chilli powder imported from Vietnam and in food in Germany. Further concern focuses on a spice called Sumak, in whichtraces of the dyes have been discovered. The Turkish ingredient is commonly used to flavour Middle Eastern dishes, particularly doner kebabs. The FSA said that it was carrying out additional surveillance work in order to identify the scale of the problem. FSA chief executive Jon Bell has demanded extra screening after certificates from overseas suppliers guaranteeing that their products were free from contaminants were found to be inaccurate. Only independent tests can verify the contents of supplies and help enforcement agencies throughout Europe to identify the source of these illicit dyes. The FSA spokesperson confirmed that an import testing plan would be developed this week. Several companies concerned about Para Red contamination have already submitted their products for tests at research centres. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theist 1 Report post Posted May 4, 2005 If anybody gets wind of a sure clean source for bulk curry powder please post it. Until then it's back to salt and pepper. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kulapavana 0 Report post Posted May 4, 2005 and where do you think black pepper comes from? grow your own chilies! /images/graemlins/smile.gif Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theist 1 Report post Posted May 5, 2005 Oh man, you really know how to ruin a salad. BTW where does black pepper come from? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kulapavana 0 Report post Posted May 5, 2005 comes from tropical countries, like S.America and India, and - of course - is fumigated too... /images/graemlins/frown.gif Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theist 1 Report post Posted May 5, 2005 I guess I am down to a pinch of sea salt. Why don't they just spray us with a big can of Raid and get it over with? Why the slow torure? Maybe to feed the illness industry? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted June 14, 2005 they should check them for PESTICIDES!!! Pesticide us has grown enormously in India and they do not read the instructions as well as we do, simply because they can't read. they always put to much, more so than even in the west, where that is also common practice. Pesticides are also cancer causing and the dyes are blamed, so the pesticide industry can continue their devious practice. VdK. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
