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Banned
An urgent warning has been issued by the Food Standards Agency after a potentially cancer-causing dye was discovered in more than 350 widely-eaten food products.
The dye, known as Sudan 1, got into a batch of chilli powder.
The powder was used in a large consignment of Crosse and Blackwell Worcester Sauce made by Premier Foods.
The sauce was then added as an ingredient to at least 359 products made by supermarkets and leading food companies such as Unilever.
The FSA is urging householders who have the affected products not to eat them.
Sudan 1 is a red dye used for colouring solvents, oils waxes, petrol and shoe polish and it is illegal to add it to food in the UK and EU.
FSA chief executive Jon Bell said: "Sudan I could contribute to an increased risk of cancer.
"However, at the levels present the risk is likely to be very small but it is sensible to avoid eating any more. There is no risk of immediate ill health.
"Because of the widespread use of this Worcester sauce to flavour other foods, we may find further affected products. We will continue to take action to remove these and minimise the risk to consumers."
Supermarkets are working to remove the products from shelves as swiftly as possible.
The dye, known as Sudan 1, got into a batch of chilli powder.
The powder was used in a large consignment of Crosse and Blackwell Worcester Sauce made by Premier Foods.
The sauce was then added as an ingredient to at least 359 products made by supermarkets and leading food companies such as Unilever.
The FSA is urging householders who have the affected products not to eat them.
Sudan 1 is a red dye used for colouring solvents, oils waxes, petrol and shoe polish and it is illegal to add it to food in the UK and EU.
FSA chief executive Jon Bell said: "Sudan I could contribute to an increased risk of cancer.
"However, at the levels present the risk is likely to be very small but it is sensible to avoid eating any more. There is no risk of immediate ill health.
"Because of the widespread use of this Worcester sauce to flavour other foods, we may find further affected products. We will continue to take action to remove these and minimise the risk to consumers."
Supermarkets are working to remove the products from shelves as swiftly as possible.