The Ministry of Health said in Beijing Wednesday that Sudan Red -- also called Sudan I -- dye in food poses little health risk if the amount is small. The dye caused a scare in China recently when it was discovered in a popular hot sauce.

"The occasional intake of foods containing small amounts of Sudan Red is unlikely to cause cancer," the ministry said in a statement.

But it warned that a regular intake of food containing a high amount of Sudan Red will increase cancer risks.

China has already banned the use of Sudan Red in food.

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and a subsidiary of US-based Heinz were found to have Sudan-tainted products in China recently. Both companies immediately removed those products from the market. 

In an inspection involving 18 provinces and regions across the country, the State Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has discovered that 88 food products or additives, mainly chilli-flavored food additives, chilli oils and sauces, contain the dye. 

Sudan Red is a red dye traditionally used for coloring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol and shoe and floor polishes. It was found by the Food Standards Agency of Britain in February in a batch of chilli powder made by Premier Foods, one of the country's largest food and beverage companies. 

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2005)