European Red Alert: Tainted Food
Staff Writer - July 28, 2005
 Two food alerts are currently circulating across Europe. Both are related to the red color, created artificially by dishonest producers to make some food look more appetizing and/or fresh.
The first alert is about a coloring substance known as Para Red. As it was the case with coloring agent known as Sudan (PDF file – Italian only – 20Kb), which generated emergency recalls in Europe in the past months, the Para Red is carcinogenic, but it is used illegally to enhance the color of several spices, including ground chili pepper.
In Great Britain, where it was first discovered, it was found in many different goods for sale, mostly pre-prepared ethnic meals, sauces, spreads, potato chips and cocktail mixes that had been seasoned with tainted spices.
The second alert is related to seafood, specifically tuna.
Carbon monoxide has been found repeatedly in tuna imported from South East Asia, but also in products marketed from some EU states. This compound is used to enhance and stabilize the red color in tuna meat.
This processing method is deceptive and very dangerous, and thus is forbidden by law. The method, however, is used illegally to extend the commercial life of the product. In fact, the meat of tuna cured with this compound shows a fresh-looking red color even when is actually decayed and thus unhealthful and harmful.
| 
