Written question asked by Mark Williams (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 11 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 November 2005. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 November 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Sudan One

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the scientific studies which informed her Department's decision to remove Sudan One from the market.

Answer: [holding answer 16 November 2005]: Sudan One is an illegal substance that is not permitted to be used in food. Under the General Food Law (EC Regulation 178/2002) the food industry has a legal responsibility to withdraw and recall all products known to be contaminated with such substances and to inform consumers.The decision to recall products containing the dye Sudan One from the market was informed by a risk assessment agreed by the chairs of the independent expert Committees on Toxicity, Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment.The risk assessment concluded that, based on the available data, it was prudent to assume that Sudan One is a genotoxic carcinogen. The risk assessment, including a list of the scientific studies on which it is based, was published in the 2003 annual report for the three committees.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 439 c1815W;439 c1817W; 29213
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Colourings Contamination Health hazards EU law Food Shops Retail trade
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk