A batch of boxed instant meals sold at PriceSmart stores in Costa Rica may contain dangerous metal fragments. Such was the message recently communicated by the Risk Management division of PriceSmart in Costa Rica by means of an online document  (PDF) that has also been posted in the company’s store locations in our country.

The alert issued by PriceSmart to its members in Costa Rica, many of whom are North American expats who seek items they are used to purchasing back home, involves product #211808, KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese. Specifically, the affected product is packaged in the iconic 7.25 oz blue and yellow box and labeled with the dates 18 SEP 2015 to 11 OCT 2015, which can be seen on the side of the box, between the preparation and serving instructions. Additionally, the affected batch of products that may contain small shards of metal are labeled with a “C2” code.

PriceSmart further explains that the product was pulled from store shelves as soon as the recall notice was issued by the manufacturer, the Kraft Foods Group. This instant meal consists of pasta and processed cheese powder that comes in a pouch. It is not clear whether the reported metal fragments would be found in the pasta or in the cheese sauce; however, it is important to note that PriceSmart has not received a complaint about this product, nor has the company learned of any harm caused by it.

Members of PriceSmart who have purchased this Mac & Cheese product should return it immediately to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.

In Canada, this product is known as Kraft Dinner. In the United Kingdom, it is sometimes called Cheesey Pasta. Although this product is not very popular in Costa Rica, PriceSmart is not the only store that carries it; it can also be found at AutoMercado as well as  supermarkets owned by Wal-Mart such as Mas x Menos and Pali.