FOOD contaminated by the banned dye Sudan 1 was still on sale in the North-East last night despite the setting of a deadline and the threat of prosecution by safety watchdogs.

One store on Teesside, where The Northern Echo's reporters bought banned snacks on Wednesday, still had the items on its shelves last night.

Details of the scandal emerged after the Food Standards Agency claimed the message was finally getting through to traders and caterers a week after a public alert was sounded.

The dye - usually used as a colouring in solvents, oils, waxes, petrol and shoe polish - is banned for use in foods but has been discovered in a brand of Worcester sauce that has been used as an ingredient in hundreds of other meals and snacks.

A list of food that could be contaminated by Sudan 1 has grown to 474 items, but experts believe most stores and caterers are aware of the extent of the problem.

Last night, however, as householders were warned to check their cupboards again, it was discovered that one store in Stockton, where beef and tomato Pot Noodles were bought three days ago, still had the snack on sale.

David Statham, the Food Standards Agency's director of enforcement, said: "This has been an enormous undertaking. Hundreds of products have been affected in thousands of shops.

"The vast majority of contaminated foods has now been removed, and that provides some reassurance to consumers.

"However, there may be some products remaining in shops and the catering sector, and we will continue to work with local authorities to remove them as far is practical and achievable."