Food Company Fined £13,000 for Distributing Contaminated Palm Oil Containing Illegal Dyes

An African food import company, MacPhilips Foods Ltd, along with its director and manager, has been fined over £13,000 following an investigation by Thurrock Council’s Trading Standards team. The company, previously based in Purfleet-on-Thames, was found guilty of distributing palm oil contaminated with illegal Sudan dyes, which pose significant health risks, including cancer.

Colchester Magistrates' Court ordered MacPhilips Foods to pay £6,000 in fines, £2,000 in victim surcharges, and £5,000 in costs. The company failed to recall the contaminated oil in a timely manner, taking five months to provide the necessary information. Both the company’s manager and director were fined £600 each.

Councillor Victoria Holloway praised the Trading Standards team for removing the unsafe product despite delays caused by poor record-keeping. Concerns about products can be reported to Citizens Advice or the Trading Standards consumer helpline.