The Ministry of Health (Minsal) has issued a health alert, ordering the withdrawal of two batches of merkén of the well-known brand “Gourmet” due to the detection of a dangerous toxin in these products. This announcement has generated concern, since it is a condiment widely used in Chilean cuisine. The discovery was made within the framework of the National Mycotoxin Surveillance process, where the Environmental and Labor Public Health laboratories of the Metropolitan Health Seremi found Ochratoxin A in a sample of this merkén, which comes from the Tarapacá region.
Ochratoxin A is a toxin produced by certain fungi, and although its consumption does not cause immediate poisoning, prolonged consumption can have serious consequences for health. Among the possible adverse effects are damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous system, as well as risks for pregnant women. Given these dangers, the Minsal has urged the population not to consume the affected products, which correspond to the 21-gram and 100-gram merkén of the Gourmet brand, with expiration dates in November and December 2025, respectively.
The call to withdraw these products from the market has been taken seriously by health authorities, who have made efforts to ensure that these batches are removed from circulation. This measure seeks to protect consumers and avoid possible health complications related to exposure to this substance. toxinMeanwhile, the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation and keep citizens informed of any new developments in this case.
For its part, the company responsible for the merkénGood Food SA has responded to this situation by stressing its commitment to the quality and safety of its products. The company has stated that its raw materials and final products have undergone rigorous quality controls and chemical analyses in independent laboratories, which have not detected the presence of Ochratoxin A. However, despite this discrepancy with the results presented by the Seremi de Salud, Good Food SA has decided to withdraw the questioned batches from the market as a preventive measure.
In addition, the company has reiterated its willingness to collaborate with the authorities to resolve this situation. They have assured that their priority is the safety of consumers and that they are taking all necessary measures to ensure that their products comply with current regulations. Good Food SA has also called for calm, stressing that they will continue to dialogue with the authorities to clarify the facts and maintain the confidence of their consumers. merkén.
