FOOD watchdogs have issued an alert over contaminated chilli powder.

Shoppers are being warned not to use the Cirio brand Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce.

Some batches may contain the illegal chemical dye Sudan I, said the Food Standards Agency.

Distributors have cleared the shelves of the product, which comes in 400g jars and was on sale in Sainsbury's, Waitrose and other retailers.

Sudan I, which is not permitted in food, could cause cancer.

People with jars are being asked to return them for a refund or throw them away.

The round jar, which has a blue lid, is labelled Pasta Sauce Arrabbiata Chilli and has the brand name Cirio on it. Red chillis are pictured on the label.

Distributors say no other Cirio products are affected.

Martin Wood, West Yorkshire Trading Standards chief officer, said: "Although there is no immediate threat of illness, those most at risk would be people eating contaminated products regularly over a long time."

The alert follows a warning in July over chilli powder in some products made by Shaw's of Huddersfield.

The company was later given the all-clear by the Food Standards Agency.