Bosses of a Thornton Lodge sweet firm have appeared in court to face allegations their business produced confectionery containing a banned food additive that can cause cancer.
Mansural Aziz and Hafiz Ahmed, the company secretary and director of Huddersfield Fine Bakers and Sweet Centre, went before Kirklees Magistrates’ Court today - Wednesday.
The men are accused of failing to comply with European food regulations by placing on the market sweet products rasgulla and coconut burfi containing prohibited additive Rhodamine B.
They also face charges of failing to establish the traceability of the rose-pink coloured powder containing the additive and failing to identify the person who supplied this to them.
The same charges have also been brought against the Crosland Road-based firm itself.
Rasgulla is a syrup-based dessert while coconut burfi is made of coconut and condensed milk.
Miles Barker, prosecuting on behalf of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said that the prohibited substance used in the confectionery made by the company was potentially carcinogenic and genotoxic.
This meant that it had the potential to cause cancer or attack the body’s DNA, causing deformities.
Rhodamine B is not listed as a permitted additive to food and is connected with the treatment of sewage, the court heard
Mr Barker asked magistrates for an adjournment as more information on the potential harm than could be caused by the substance was needed.
Aziz and Ahmed were also advised to seek legal representation before the next hearing.
This will take place in the Huddersfield court on July 8.
