FSA's new food dye warning
The Food Standards Agency has warned pubs to remain vigilant after new discoveries of foods contaminated with carcinogenic Sudan dyes. The Government warning came after the discovery of Sudan IV in two batches of Lorraine Foods' Zomi palm oil last week. The FSA urged caterers to look out for batch numbers 1412 and 060 of the product, which is made by the food producer based in Accra, Ghana. Lorraine's Zomi oil is distributed through direct van sales to retailers and caterers selling African or African-Caribbean foods according to the FSA. The FSA alert follows European Union (EU) plans to step up checks on foods potentially contaminated with Sudan dyes. For more information visit www.food.gov.uk
Seafood recipe challenge
Norge is encouraging pub chefs to enter its Norwegian Seafood Recipe Challenge 2005. Norge is offering the competition winner a trip to Norway to work with the country's top chefs. Entrants must devise a seafood-themed main course that features Norwegian cod, haddock or coldwater prawns, before 29 April. Recipes will be rated on creativity, simplicity and profitability. Judges, including Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, will decide the winner from a 10-chef cook off held at the Great Eastern Hotel in London on 24 June. For more information call 0800 0287175.
House owners set to expand
A new London gastro pub will open in Highgate this May. Owners Barnaby Meredith and Jeremy Hollingsworth who also run the House pub in Islington aim to convert the current North Six restaurant into a food-led pub offering modern European dishes, including spaghettini with fresh crab and char-grilled rib of Buccleugh beef. The Bull will also feature an open kitchen, real ales and outdoor terrace seating. Meredith plans for the pub to become a "traditional" venue where "locals who have dogs can take them".
Weekly deals from Booker
Cash-and-carry firm Booker has launched a series of weekly specials deals for caterers. The promotions covering ambient, fresh, frozen and non-food products are designed to offer pub operators savings on popular product lines, according to Booker. Marketing director Mark Collier said: "Booker is committed to customers' success. The promotion follows in-depth research to find out how Booker can improve our service to caterers. We want to help caterers trade profitably." For more information call 01933 371000.
