A total of 474 products have now been recalled in the alert over the cancer-causing dye Sudan I, the Food Standards agency said last night.

A fresh list of 146 more items was published by the agency yesterday.

A previous total list of 430 was found to have included a number of duplications. Having taken these out and then added in the new items, a total of 474 products was given.

Earlier, the agency announced that three firms allegedly involved in the supply of foods containing Sudan I had been inspected by local authorities.

The deadline for food retailers to identify products containing the dye has now passed.

As a result, firms failing to ensure food placed on the market is fit for human consumption could face prosecution.

Local authorities can bring prosecutions, with the maximum penalty at magistrates' courts being a £20,000 fine and six months in jail.

At Crown Courts, anyone found guilty could face two years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

North-East trading standards chiefs continued to visit corner shops yesterday - and found many still selling banned products.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "We will continue to monitor the situation and work with businesses to ensure that no unsafe food is on the shelves. But if people fail to comply, we can take enforcement action."