Chile's Ministry of Health issued a food alert after detecting the bacterium listeria monocytogenes in Fresco brand chicken pepper sandwiches. The issue was identified in the Ñuble Region during a routine inspection. Authorities ordered the immediate recall of the affected batch and advised against consumption.
The Ministry of Health issued the alert on Tuesday, confirming listeria in the product made by Arco Alimentos Ltda. The detection happened as part of a national food microbiology surveillance program, through analysis at the Ñuble Regional Ministerial Health Secretariat's laboratory.
The affected batch consists of sandwiches produced on November 14, 2025, with an expiration date of December 4, 2025. Consumers are urged to safely discard the product and avoid eating it entirely.
Preventive actions include notifying the producer, inspecting the manufacturing plant, and removing the food from the market. A sanitary summary was also initiated at the sales point to probe potential liabilities.
Listeria monocytogenes, often found in the environment, contaminates food during handling. While infection rates are low, listeriosis can severely impact vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and those with compromised immunity, including cancer or HIV patients. In pregnant individuals, it may lead to miscarriages or newborn infections; in others, it can cause septicemia or meningitis.
Initial symptoms mimic a mild flu, with fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases can worsen quickly. Anyone who ate the sandwich and shows compatible signs should seek prompt medical evaluation.