Food dye update The majority of foods found to be contaminated with an illegal dye, Sudan 1, have now been removed from sale. BBC Food brings you the latest news.

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Latest information from the FSA

Sudan dye contamination

News and advice

Following the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) warnings that an illegal food dye, Sudan 1, had been found in a wide range of food products in the UK, the Agency now reports that the vast majority of contaminated food products have been removed from shops.

An FSA spokesperson said: "This has been an enormous undertaking. Hundreds of products have been affected in thousands of shops. The vast majority of products have been removed ... However, there may be some products remaining in both shops and in the catering sector and we will continue to work with local authorities to remove them as far as is practicable and achievable."

The FSA is has published a list of food products know to be affected so far. It is advising consumers not to eat any of the food products listed on the Agency's website.

• The full list of products to avoid is available here.

Some products have now been reformulated to take out the affected ingredient, so the Use-by/Best Before date or the batch number should be checked to determine whether or not the product can be eaten.

The foods were contaminated after a batch of chilli powder containing the dye was used by Premier Foods to manufacture a Worcestershire sauce. This sauce was then used as an ingredient in a wide range of everyday food products.

More than 580 products have found to be contaminated so far

The affected foods include a number of the major supermarkets’ own-brand ready meals, salad dressings and soups. More than 580 products have found to be contaminated so far.

Sudan dyes are red dyes that are used for colouring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes. They are not allowed to be added to food in the UK and the rest of the European Union but have been found in some chilli powder imported mainly from India.

Although the FSA has advised people to throw away any contaminated products, it has stated that there's no need for consumers to panic because there's no immediate risk of health problems.

There is no risk of immediate ill health

Chief Executive of the FSA, Dr Jon Bell, said: "Sudan 1 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."

You can get the latest information from the Food Standards Agency here.

You can get the latest information from BBC News here.

Find out more about Sudan dyes here.