An ice cream recall affecting Lidl stores has been elevated to the FDA’s most serious warning after testing confirmed possible contamination with potentially fatal bacteria.
Lidl US initially recalled one lot of its Gelatelli Coffee & Vanilla Gelato with Coffee Sauce and Cookie Pieces last month over concerns that it may contain Listeria monocytogenes. The bacteria can cause symptoms including bloody diarrhea and severe muscle pain, while serious infections may lead to life-threatening dehydration and other complications.
The Food and Drug Administration has now designated the recall as Class I after laboratory testing detected listeria in the product.
According to the FDA, a Class I recall means there is “a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
No illnesses linked to the recalled gelato have been reported.
The recall covers 1,122 units distributed from July 19 through October 15, 2026, to Lidl US stores in Washington, DC, and nine states: Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
The affected gelato came in 16-fluid-ounce, or one-pint, containers marked with UPC 4 0564897 22458 and lot number 085261. Every container carries a best-by date of March 26, 2028.
Lidl is advising customers who bought the product to throw it away immediately or return it to a Lidl store for a full refund.
The gelato recall was upgraded to Class I after testing confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes
The recall began in October, when routine testing found listeria in a laboratory sample. Additional testing also produced a positive result, prompting the FDA to apply the Class I classification.
“The health and safety of our customers is our top priority,” Lidl said in a statement.
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“Lidl US regrets any inconvenience related to this voluntary recall. Our Quality Assurance Department is constantly working to ensure that all products on our shelves meet the high-quality standards that we would expect when feeding our own families.
“We are grateful for all our Lidl US customers who choose to shop with us every day.”
The FDA calls listeria a “remarkably tough organism” because it can survive in cold conditions.
Although freezing stops the bacteria from multiplying, it does not destroy it.
Listeriosis is a serious illness caused by consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The bacterium occurs in moist environments, soil, water, decaying vegetation and animals. It can also survive refrigeration and other methods used to preserve food.
Images show the front and bottom of a container of the recalled gelato
A wide range of foods can carry listeria, though the bacteria is most often associated with unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses and ready-to-eat products such as prepackaged sandwiches. Cooked shellfish, cured meats, fish including sushi and pre-cut fruit can also present a risk.
An estimated 1,250 Americans develop listeriosis each year. While many recover without treatment, the infection can cause fever, muscle aches, headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures, sometimes after diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
For pregnant women, listeria can result in miscarriage or stillbirth.
Around 250 Americans die from listeriosis annually. Fatal cases can occur when the infection moves beyond the digestive system and reaches the central nervous system.
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