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Food Safety Archive

Incident File · 2005-03-16

KFC China Sudan I dye sauce incident

In 2005, KFC China suspended New Orleans roast chicken products after Sudan I, a banned industrial dye for food use, was reported in sauce ingredients.

Incident Severity

★★☆☆☆

A banned dye entered a national fast-food supply chain, but no confirmed illnesses or deaths were reported, so the incident is rated 2 stars.

Verified by two or more sources

Key Facts

Jurisdiction
China
Category
Illegal additive
Affected
1200
Deaths
0
Injured/Ill
0
Duration Days
2
Sources
2

Public reporting said roughly 1,200 KFC outlets in China stopped selling the affected chicken products after Sudan I was found in the sauce supply chain. No confirmed casualties were reported.

Companies and Brands

Direct company

KFC China Heinz-Meiweiyuan Food

Parent or controller

Yum Brands Heinz

Brand or licensor

KFC New Orleans roast chicken wings

Tags

Sudan dye Illegal additive Fast food Sauce

Legal or Regulatory Basis

Sudan dyes were banned for food use in China; reported products were withdrawn after regulators found Sudan I in sauce ingredients.

Sources

  1. KFC Falls Prey to Sudan I, China.org.cn, 2005-03-17
  2. Ministry Urges Inspection of Harmful Red Eggs, Xinhua via China.org.cn, 2006-11-18