ARLINGTON, VA — A Lidl dessert recall has been pushed into the Food and Drug Administration’s most serious category, meaning the frozen product could cause severe illness or death. The affected item is Gelatelli Coffee & Vanilla Gelato with Coffee Sauce & Cookie Pieces, sold in pint-sized containers.
Lidl U.S. Trading first recalled one lot of the product in mid-October after routine testing found Listeria monocytogenes in a lab sample. The FDA said Tuesday that the recall has now been designated Class I, its highest-risk classification.
No illnesses had been reported when the recall was first announced, and the company has told customers to throw away the gelato or return it for a refund. The warning matters to Virginia shoppers because the product was distributed in the state and several neighboring markets.
Why the FDA classed this as a Class I recall
The FDA uses the Class I label for situations where there is a reasonable probability that a violative product will cause serious health consequences or death. In plain terms, it is the agency’s strongest recall warning and signals the greatest level of concern.
That designation fits a product contaminated with Listeria, a bacterium known to pose dangerous risks for young children, older adults, frail people and anyone with a weakened immune system. According to Lidl’s announcement, the infection can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant people.
The company said it launched the recall voluntarily after quality testing identified the contamination. Lidl also said customer safety was its top priority and that it regretted any inconvenience tied to the recall.
How shoppers can identify the recalled gelato
Consumers should check for a Gelatelli Coffee & Vanilla Gelato with Coffee Sauce & Cookie Pieces sold in pint containers. The recalled product carries a best-by date of March 26, 2028.
Other identifying details include UPC 4 0564897 22458 and lot number 085261. Those details are important because the recall applies to just one lot, not the entire product line.
If the package matches those numbers, officials say it should not be eaten. Shoppers should discard it or return it to the store for a refund. Lidl also set up a customer line at 844-747-5435, available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Where the recalled dessert was shipped
The recall covers 1,122 units of gelato distributed between July 19 and Oct. 15. Stores in 10 jurisdictions received the product, including Virginia.
Other locations listed by the company were Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. That footprint means shoppers across a wide stretch of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast may need to check their freezers.
The company’s notice does not identify specific stores, but the distribution list shows the dessert reached both local and regional markets. For Virginia customers, the key point is that the product was available for sale in the state during the distribution window.
What Listeria can do and who faces the greatest risk
Listeria monocytogenes is a serious foodborne pathogen, and the FDA warning highlights why the recall is being treated so urgently. Infections can become severe and, in some cases, fatal.
People most at risk include young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant people also face added danger because listeria can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, according to the company’s recall notice.
Even without any reported illnesses at the time of the original recall, the FDA’s upgrade reflects the possibility of serious harm if the product is consumed. That is why the agency and the company are urging shoppers to act immediately if they have the gelato at home.
What Virginia shoppers should do now
Anyone who bought the recalled gelato should look for the specific best-by date, UPC and lot number before deciding whether it is affected. If the package matches, it should not be eaten or served to anyone in the household.
The safest next step is to throw the product away or take it back for a refund. Shoppers who have questions can contact Lidl customer service at the toll-free number provided in the recall notice.
Because the product was sold in Virginia and nine other jurisdictions, consumers should also check freezers for the recalled pint even if they bought it weeks ago. The recall covers sales from midsummer through mid-October, so the item may still be in homes now.
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