Parents were today reassured that school dinners in Bradford would not contain the banned Sudan 1 dye.

The head of the service which provides 45,000 meals a day across the district said strict rules on the foods used and regular checks had made sure the dye was not used as a colouring in any of its meals.

The news came as it was revealed that the number of products in Britain's biggest food recall is likely to increase after already soaring to more than 400.

A further 59 products contaminated with the potentially cancer-causing dye were named yesterday by the Food Standards Agency.

It takes the total number of products recalled since last Friday to 418, although that figure is expected to rise.

Education Contract Services (ECS), which provides Bradford's school meals, has a long list of banned ingredients and additives. It was first drawn up in 1994 and is continually being revised.

Roger Sheard, ECS business development manager, said: "I would like to reassure all parents and carers that our robust quality procedures and stringent food specifications do not permit the use of the banned substance Sudan 1 dye. Therefore we do not have any products or ingredients stocked which use the dye as a food colouring."

The alarm was raised last Friday when the Food Standards Agency published a list of 359 products containing the potentially cancer-causing Sudan 1.

More than 300 food companies are affected by the mass recall, triggered by the discovery of Sudan 1 in chilli powder used in a consignment of Crosse and Blackwell Worcester Sauce. By then the sauce had been added to a wide range of products.

Sudan 1 is a red dye used for colouring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polish. It is illegal to add the substance to food products.

Today smaller shopkeepers were being urged to check their stock against the list and, if in doubt, call West Yorkshire Trading Standards on 0845 4040506.

A spokesman said: "The important thing is not to do nothing. A full list is available on the Food Standards Agency website."

Officers would be calling on as many shops as possible.

The full list of affected foods can be seen on the Food Standards Agency website, or by pasting www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2005/feb/update#update2

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