Trail that put illegal chilli into food chain

The dye at the centre of Britain's largest food scare has been illegal for 10 years yet in 2002 a batch of chilli powder containing Sudan 1 was imported into the country.

The firms involved in putting the product into the food chain are today distancing themselves from responsibility. It is not known which firm imported it. The first to admit to handling the food is East Anglian Foods Ingredients, based in Clacton, Essex, which claims to have bought it from another source.

It said it had been convinced all food-stuffs contaminated with Sudan 1 had already been eradicated from the food chain. What is not in dispute is that the powder was sold on to Billericay spice and herb specialists Unbar Rothon. An Unbar Rothon spokesman said: "The chilli powder came straight in and straight out and we did not process it."

The firm also says it handled the powder before the alarm was raised by a French laboratory in June 2003. Unbar Rothon sold the product to Premier Foods, of St Albans, which used it to make a variety of food-stuffs which were then included in ready-meals and snacks. The firm claims it was "misled" by Unbar Rothon and is seeking legal advice.

An Italian firm reportedly warned Premier Foods about the powder on 28 January. The Food Standards Authority issued its health alert on 18 February.