18 Apr 2005 - The Food Standards Agency says that Ebenezer Foods palm oilhas been found to be contaminated with the illegal dye, Sudan IV.

Sudan IV is not a permitted colour under the Colours in Food Regulations1995, the agency said. It is considered to be a genotoxic carcinogen andits presence, at any level, is not permitted in foodstuffs for anypurpose.

So far the following size and date code of this product is known to becontaminated: Ebenezer Foods Palm Oil, 480ml, Best Before 30/09/05

According to the label, this brand of palm oil product is distributed byEbenezer Foods of Northolt in Middlesex. Despite investigation by thelocal authority, the agency has no details of distribution, other thanthat it is thought to be confined to the London area. This product appearsto be distributed through direct van sales, where retailers who sellAfrican or African-Caribbean food products are the main clients, it said.