Essex food company sold products with dyes that could cause cancer

The case was heard at Colchester Magistrates' Court
-Credit: (Image: BPM MEDIA)


An Essex food company has been slapped with a fine after distributing palm oil infected with dyes that could cause cancer. MacPhilips Foods Ltd, of Juliet Way, Purfleet, has admitted a string of charges under the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations of 2013.

Thurrock Council's Trading Standards Officers first received intelligence in April 2023 that a brand of palm oil sold by MacPhilips Foods Ltd contained illegal Sudan dyes. The industrial dyes are not permitted for human consumption due to their potential health risks.

Repeat requests for product information were not provided and the company took five months to send accurate information to enable the unsafe oil to be recalled. In that time, Trading Standards Officers visited local retailers and found contaminated oil at two premises. The Thurrock based shops confirmed they had never been advised about a recall.

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The company, which has since moved out of Thurrock, pled guilty to six charges including failing to recall the affected oil containing illegal Sudan dyes, which can potentially cause cancer or harm human DNA. The firm appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 3 where they were ordered to pay £6,000 in fines, a £2,000 victim surcharge and £5,000 costs.

Company manager Andrew Ekechukwu and company director Alexander Okoli each pled guilty across six charges and were both ordered to pay £600 in fines and a £240 victim surcharge.

Victoria Holloway, councillor responsible for place and the environment, said: “Thanks to the efforts of our Trading Standards Team, the contaminated oil has been removed from the market, despite delays caused by the company’s poor record keeping. The company has been successfully prosecuted.

"We take the health and wellbeing of our residents seriously and will continue to act on reports of contaminated or illegal goods.” Report concerns about products or businesses to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or via our Trading Standards webpage.