November 16, 2006

Sudan Red found in Chinese duck eggs

Authorities in Beijing have issued a recall for duck eggs after the carcinogenic dye Sudan Red IV were found in duck eggs sold in the city.

Duck farmers in Hebei province were suspected of adding the dye to the animals' feed to give the yolks a brighter red. The eggs were from Baiyangdian lake, the largest freshwater lake in Hebei, the main supplier of duck eggs to Beijing's markets and supermarkets.

The contaminated eggs were found in a supermarket, with more than 10,000 kg already sold, a local franchiser said.

Egg yolk should be light yellow and bright yellow and bright red yolks are unnatural, according to the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science.

Government food safety officials told local media that the amounts of dye found in the eggs would not be dangerous unless consumed in great quantities.

China also issued similar recalls last year, after the dye was found in vegetables and chili sauces.

The discovery of Sudan Red in foods, a grade 3 carcinogen, has also led to product recalls in the UK last year.