By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministry of Economy issued a health alert to people for the voluntary withdrawal of hummus products, from the Lantana and Pital Pal brands. These products sold at PriceSmart supermarkets were identified as risk of having the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium.

The products subject to this recall, are Roasted Garlic Hummus Lantana brand, Pital Pal Hummus, Classic Hummus Sabra brand, Black Bean Hummus Lantana brand.

According to U.S. Medline,Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, bacteria found in soil and water.

It can be in a variety of raw foods as well as in processed foods and foods made from unpasteurized milk.

Listeria is unlike many other germs because it can grow even in the cold temperature of the refrigerator.

Symptoms include fever and chills, headache, upset stomach and vomiting. Treatment is with antibiotics.

Anyone can get the illness. But it is most likely to affect pregnant women and unborn babies, older adults, and people with weak immune systems.

According to the Ministry, the bacteria were found inside the facilities of the production plant in the U.S., during an inspection carried out by the Food and Drug Administration.

"The recall is made as a precautionary measure and to avoid any possible consumption since this bacterium has not been identified in the final hummus products, nor has it been reported in cases that have affected any person," said the Ministry in its statement.

According to the Ministry, the distribution company PriceSmart received notification about the bacteria on July 17th, then proceeded to withdraw the products from supermarkets.

"In total 2,240 units of these products were sold," the Ministry said in its statement.

PriceSmart reported that it adopted the following precautionary measures:

- The existence of affected products was identified, with respect to the quantity imported by PriceSmart, a product acquired by partners, and the remaining product.



- As of July 17, the product was removed from the sales floor far from the reach of partners and collaborators.

- From July 19, notices or product warnings were placed in each supermarket.

- Customers were contacted.

- Current product stock will be destroyed in the presence of a notary public.

The most recent alert, reported by A.M. Costa Rica on August, when the Ministry of Health announced an alert for products without sanitary registration distributed by the company Distribuidora Nova Vita S.A located in San Jose.



According to the Ministry, products such as capsules, elixirs, beverages, and gels have been seized due to them not having a legal sanitary registration.

Also, the Ministry confirms the products found in Costa Rica were manufactured in other countries and presumed by specialists to be smuggled products.

The products that are prohibited for sale are the Green Nature brand, where the label shows a sanitary registration number that does not exist, or that belongs to another product that is not related to that brand. For these reasons, the authorities warn the public to "presume the products are counterfeit."

According to the Ministry, a complaint has already been filed against the company. Officers are reviewing pharmacies, natural products stores, and supermarkets, among others, in order to confiscate any of the products.

The authorities call on the population not to buy these allegedly counterfeit products and to complain of any stores that are selling Green Nature brand products that include the name of the company Distribuidora Nova Vita S.A. on the label.

Complaints about the sale of these products can be made by email to diana.viquezh@misalud.go.cr or dac.denuncias@misalud.go.cr or the Ministry at (506) 2223-0333.

The A.M. Costa Rica team asks readers to share these alert among their contacts.



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Have you seen these products in any other supermarket in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com

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