Costa Rica health alert issued for contaminated PIK FÁCIL vegetables

The Costa Rican Ministry of Health has issued a sanitary alert following the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in a specific batch of PIK FÁCIL brand vegetables. The contaminated product is a vegetable mix containing carrots, chayote, zucchini, and broccoli, with an expiration date of September 7, 2026, and sanitary registration number 2101-A-11674.

Microbiological analysis conducted by the National Reference Center for Microbiological Food Safety (CRIMA-Inciensa) confirmed the presence of the bacteria. Authorities have advised consumers not to purchase or consume this specific batch, recommending that anyone who already possesses it should either discard it or return it to the point of sale.

Listeriosis, the illness caused by this bacteria, can manifest as febrile gastroenteritis but may progress to severe conditions such as septicemia, meningitis, and encephalitis. The risk is particularly high for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.