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Taipei, March 6 (CNA) A total of 11 shipments of chili powder imported from China of 54 tested to date have been found to contain Sudan dyes, a red-color chemical substance banned in Taiwan for use in foodstuffs.
In an update on the testing of 59 shipments of chili powder imported into Taiwan prior to Dec. 11, 2023, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) said Wednesday that 43 have passed inspection, 11 have not, and five remain in testing.
The 59 shipments being tested were imported from 21 Chinese exporters and manufacturers who were subsequently barred on Feb. 20 from shipping their products to Taiwan for three months due to violations of regulations, such as the presence of Sudan dyes or pesticides in those items.
The inspections are focused on shipments of chili powder exported by these businesses before Dec. 11, 2023 because that was the date from which all chili powder imported from China was subject to 100 percent shipment-by-shipment inspections at the border.
Sudan dyes are a group of industrial dyes consisting of several red colors -- including Sudan I, II, III, and IV -- which are listed as toxic chemical substances by the Ministry of Environment's Chemicals Administration.
focustaiwan.tw
The news has been raging on for several days nows. Eating chili condiments and sauces is pretty normal in Taiwan. In late February, it was revealed that these chili condiments all contain the carcinogenic compound called Sudan dyes, particularly the dye type III. It is an industrial dye that is known to cause cancer if ingested, and somehow, chili and curry powders were all tainted with these dyes as food additives.
We're now calling it the Chili Powder scandal of 2024, or Red Powder scandal of 2024. It's a shame, because I love chili sauces and powders. There is a nationwide ban in place that will stay for 3 months until the scandal subsides. Anyone who consumes curry or chili powder may need to be aware of this.
A similar food scare happened in the UK in February 2005, where inspections revealed adulterated chili powder containing Sudan dyes.
In an update on the testing of 59 shipments of chili powder imported into Taiwan prior to Dec. 11, 2023, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) said Wednesday that 43 have passed inspection, 11 have not, and five remain in testing.
The 59 shipments being tested were imported from 21 Chinese exporters and manufacturers who were subsequently barred on Feb. 20 from shipping their products to Taiwan for three months due to violations of regulations, such as the presence of Sudan dyes or pesticides in those items.
The inspections are focused on shipments of chili powder exported by these businesses before Dec. 11, 2023 because that was the date from which all chili powder imported from China was subject to 100 percent shipment-by-shipment inspections at the border.
Sudan dyes are a group of industrial dyes consisting of several red colors -- including Sudan I, II, III, and IV -- which are listed as toxic chemical substances by the Ministry of Environment's Chemicals Administration.
11 batches of suspect chili powder found with banned dye: TFDA update - Focus Taiwan
A total of 11 shipments of chili powder imported from China of 54 tested to date have been found to contain Sudan dyes, a red-color chemical substance banned in Taiwan for use in foodstuffs.
The news has been raging on for several days nows. Eating chili condiments and sauces is pretty normal in Taiwan. In late February, it was revealed that these chili condiments all contain the carcinogenic compound called Sudan dyes, particularly the dye type III. It is an industrial dye that is known to cause cancer if ingested, and somehow, chili and curry powders were all tainted with these dyes as food additives.
We're now calling it the Chili Powder scandal of 2024, or Red Powder scandal of 2024. It's a shame, because I love chili sauces and powders. There is a nationwide ban in place that will stay for 3 months until the scandal subsides. Anyone who consumes curry or chili powder may need to be aware of this.
A similar food scare happened in the UK in February 2005, where inspections revealed adulterated chili powder containing Sudan dyes.
