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The FDA has put Lidl’s recall of Gelatelli Coffee & Vanilla Gelato in its highest risk level, Medical Daily reported. The Nov. 3 classification covers one lot of 16-ounce pints that Lidl pulled after routine quality testing of a lab sample pointed to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The top rating does not mean anyone has become sick. Lidl said no illnesses had been reported when it announced the recall on Oct. 16, according to the FDA’s posted recall notice, and the November classification does not say whether that has changed.
What the FDA’s Highest Risk Level Means
The FDA uses its first category when there is a reasonable probability that using or being exposed to a product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death, according to the FDA record as reported by Newsweek. It is the agency’s most serious recall classification.
The two lower categories are milder. The second covers problems that are temporary or medically reversible, and the third covers cases where health problems are unlikely. The FDA record lists the Lidl recall as ongoing, with no termination date.
The record gives the reason as a positive test result for the bacteria in the product. The company’s own notice says the contamination was found through routine quality testing of a lab sample.
The Gelato and the Codes to Match
The recall covers Gelatelli Coffee & Vanilla Gelato with Coffee Sauce & Cookie Pieces, a 16 fl oz pint sold in a clear plastic container with a brown lid. Only one lot is involved.
The recalled lot carries UPC 4 0564897 22458 and lot number 085261. The best-by date, MAR/26/2028, is printed on the bottom of the container, so shoppers have to flip the pint over to check it.
Where and When It Was Sold
The gelato was sold from July 19 through Oct. 15, 2026, at Lidl stores in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, plus Washington, D.C., per Food Safety News.
Some coverage says 10 states, but the list is nine states and the District of Columbia, Fox 9 noted. Newsweek reported that Lidl recalled 1,122 units.
The timeline is short. Lidl began the voluntary recall on Oct. 16, the FDA posted the company’s notice on Oct. 17, and the classification followed on Nov. 3.
What to Do With a Matching Pint
Lidl asks shoppers to discard the gelato or return it to any Lidl store for a full refund, with no receipt required. Medical Daily advises matching the lot code on the bottom of the container and throwing the pint out or returning it for a refund.
Food Poisoning Bulletin reported that a pint thrown away should go into a secure trash can after being double bagged or wrapped.
Freezing does not make the gelato safe. The FDA’s Listeria guidance says freezing does not eliminate the bacterium, and it advises keeping freezers at 0°F or below and refrigerators at 40°F or below.
Medical Daily also advises washing freezer shelves, scoops and containers that touched the gelato with hot, soapy water. The same FDA guidance says to clean refrigerator spills promptly and clean the refrigerator regularly, and to sanitize cutting boards, counters and utensils with one tablespoon of chlorine bleach per gallon of water.
Questions can go to the Lidl Customer Care Hotline at 844-747-5435, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. Another recent recall covered on this site involved Kirkland whipped cream.
Who Should Watch for Listeria Symptoms
The CDC says Listeria infection can be especially harmful for pregnant women, newborns, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems, while other people rarely become seriously ill.
The FDA recall notice adds that healthy people may have fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain or diarrhea. The infection can be serious or fatal for young children, frail or elderly people and those with weakened immune systems, and in pregnancy it can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
Food Safety News lists vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness among the signs to watch for. The Healthy adds that severe cases can involve confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, and the FDA’s Listeria page says the milder form often lasts one to three days.
Symptoms can take a long time to appear. Food Poisoning Bulletin reported that anyone who ate the ice cream should watch for symptoms for 70 days and see a doctor if they get sick.
People who ate the gelato and feel well do not need testing, Medical Daily reported. Higher-risk people who develop fever or muscle aches within 10 weeks should contact a clinician and mention the recall.
More on this site: leftovers and food poisoning and higher-risk leftovers and the USDA rule.
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This article was produced with AI assistance and edited for accuracy against the sources linked above.
Image: NikosLikomitros – CC0/Wikimedia Commons