A north Essex firm which has been identified as a possible source in Britain's biggest-ever food product recall has vowed to co-operate fully with any investigation.
And Clacton-based East Anglian Food Ingredients (EAFI) has admitted to paying out about £300,000 in compensation after a similar alert two years ago.
However, a company spokesman said it had no information on the source of the current problem.
EAFI is based in Wade Road on Clacton's Gorse Lane industrial estate and employs about 40 staff.
The nationwide health scare involves a cancer-causing food dye, known as Sudan 1, which is added to chilli powder.
It has been claimed that it was supplied to Premier Foods by EAFI, via Billericay-based Unbar Rothon.
The spokesman for EAFI told the Gazette: "We have not been contacted by Premier Foods and have no information on the source of the contamination."
He said it was understood that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) was investigating the matter.
"Its report is awaited and we will co-operate in the event we are contacted by them," he added.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Wednesday, February 23, 2005
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