Ever since news of widespread
food recalls caused by a carcinogenic dye（顏料） broke, there has been confusion over
possible links to the country of the same name, but Sudan officials say there
is no connection whatever.
Sudan 1 is a red industrial dye that has been
found in some chilli powder, but was banned in food products across the European
Union (EU) in July 2003.
Since the ban was
put in place, EU officials have been striving to remove some food products from
the shelves. So far 580 products have been recalled.
Last week Sudan’s Embassy in the United Kingdom asked the Food Standards Agency
(FSA) for clarification of the origin of the dye’s
name.
Omaima Mahmoud Al
Sharief, a press official at Sudan’s Embassy in China, explained the
purpose of the inquiry was to clear up any misunderstanding over links between
the country and the poisonous dye.
"We want to keep an
eye on every detail and avoid any misunderstanding there," she said.
"Our embassy to Britain asked them how the dye got that name and whether
the dye had something to do with our country. But they told us there was no
relationship."
The FSA, an
independent food security watchdog in Britain, received a letter from the
Sudanese embassy last week.
"They asked us why
the dye is named Sudan, however, we also do not know how it got the name,"
she said. "People found the dye in 1883 and gave it the name. Nobody knows
the reason, and we cannot give any explanation before we find out."
Sudan dyes, which
include Sudan 1 to 4, are red dyes used for
colouring solvents（溶劑）, oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes. They are
classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
1.What does the underlined word mean in
paragraph one?
A. Causing cancer.
B. Having side effect. C. Containing poison.
D. Poisonous.
2.How did the Sudan 1 get its name?
A. The dye is often produced in
Sudan.
B. The dye has something to do
with the country named Sudan.
C. Nobody is sure of the origin
of the name.
D. Many foods produced in Sudan
contain the dye.
3.We can infer from the passage that .
A. the Sudan government is paying
much attention to the food safety
B. Sudan 1 is often used to be added to the food
C. people didn’t realize the danger of Sudan 1 until 2003
D. many food shops will be closed
down
4. Which of the following is the best title?
A. Keep away from Sudan 1
B. No Sudan 1 dye links to the country
C. How Sudan 1 dye got its name?
D.
Pay attention to the food safety
