Contamination of Active brand Suya Pepper Spiced Khebab Powder with excess aflatoxin levels

Friday 3 February 2006

Food Alert: for Action

Ref: 08/2006

Heads of environmental health services and directors of trading standards will wish to be aware that Active Brand Suya Pepper Spiced Khebab Powder has been found to be contaminated with excess levels of aflatoxins.

The maximum permitted limits in certain spices are 5µg/kg for aflatoxin B1 and 10µg/kg for total aflatoxin and these limits are enforced under the Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2005.

The Suya Pepper Spiced Khebab Powder is distributed in the UK by Marduro, 46 Hamilton Rd, West Norwood, London SE27 9SB and is manufactured in Ghana.

Despite enquiries by local authorities in London, Marduro has not provided full distribution details. However, distribution is believed to be restricted to the London area.

This product appears to be distributed through direct van sales, where retailers who sell African or African-Caribbean food products are the main clients.

Identification of the product

The Spiced Khebab Powder is believed to be sold in large (approximately 250g) and small (approximately 125g) plastic containers with a yellow lid and a red/yellow label.

The wording 'Active SUYA PEPPER Spiced Khebab Powder' is boldly written on the label but there is no date marking or batch code.

The link at the foot of this page goes to an image of the product to help local authorities identify it correctly.

Actions to be taken by local authorities:

These products do not comply with the requirements specified in the Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2005 due to excess aflatoxin levels.

If any of these products are found during routine inspections, enforcement officers should ensure that they are withdrawn from sale and destroyed, if necessary using powers under the Food Safety Act 1990.

Other sizes/packaging of this product may exist. If local authorities find any other sizes or packaging, they should sample the products and notify the Agency of any positive results. Local authorities should also ensure appropriate enforcement action is taken.

It is essential that all non unitary authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they co-ordinate their actions.