Pubco products on new cancer scare list

Products made for two pub groups have been named on the latest list of products contaminated with the Sudan 1 food dye.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has listed a further batch of products which have been made using the rogue batch of Worcester sauce from Premier Foods, including many more catering lines.

The latest list includes 'Wetherspoon's Special Chilli' and 'W&D Burgundy Beef', both produced by catering specialist Jugg Foods, which has more than 70 products listed in all.

'Turkey Wellington' from Booker-owned deliverer Woodward Foodservice is also listed, while 'Brakes Peppered Grillsteaks' joins the list of Brakes products withdrawn. Catering packs from suppliers including KK Finefoods, Alembic, Loxtons, Universe Foods and Suffolk Foods are also being included.

A Wetherspoons spokesman said: "Two other products we stocked were on the original list published at the end of last week. In all cases, we're taking immediate action to remove products from sale as soon as we're notified."

A spokesman for Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries confirmed that the Burgundy Beef dish had been on the Christmas menu at its Pathfinder Pubs managed estate, but had not been on sale since January 4.

He added that the company had put its crisis management procedures into action, and "any other products where there's even a remote risk have been withdawn from sale."

Sudan 1 has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in lab tests, and its use is banned in food. The FSA is working with local authorities to investigate companies which have supplied contaminated foods as well as to ensure that all listed products are removed from sale.

David Statham, director of enforcement at the Food Standards Agency, said: "This has been an enormous undertaking. The vast majority of contaminated foods has now been removed and that provides some reassurance to consumers.

"However, there may be some products remaining both in shops and in the catering sector and we will continue to work with local authorities to remove them as far as is practical and achievable."

He added: "Local authorities will check what actions have been taken. We will also work with them in considering what enforcement action may be appropriate following these investigations."

Local authorities will be responsible for taking forward any prosecutions, with a maximum penalty in the Magistrates courts of a £20,000 fine and six months in jail, with Crown Courts able to impose two years in jail and unlimited fines.

Mr Statham said: "Our advice to local authorities is that they will need to consider enforcement action on the basis of the evidence they collect. We will review the position with local authorities when the collection of evidence is complete. That may take some time."

Related articles:​

3663 withdraws 26 products in cancer dye scare (24 February 2005)

Pubs furious at lack of support over cancer food scare (24 February 2005)

More items added to contaminated foods list (22 February 2005)

Pub trade products on contaminated foods list (21 February 2005)

Premier Foods recall unlikely to dent long-term profits (21 February 2005)