Three firms, including one from Clacton, have been inspected as part of the investigation into Britain's biggest food product recall.
The visits have taken place as part of an operation co-ordinated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) following the re-call of more than 400 contaminated items.
The agency has named East Anglian Food Ingredients (EAFI) on Clacton's Gorse Lane industrial estate as one of those inspected.
"The three companies are suspected of being at the beginning of the chain," he said.
The inspection out by at EAFI, in Wade Road, was carried out by Essex County Council. Officers looked at records and took samples.
The contamination involves the banned dye, Sudan 1, which has been added to chilli powder, which has then be added to various food products.
EAFI told the Gazette it would co-operate with any investigation into the food scare.
Published Friday, February 25, 2005
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