Ice cream recall upgraded to highest risk level over Listeria concerns
What to know about listeria
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeriosis is an infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Federal regulators have upgraded a gelato recall to the highest risk level after routine testing found Listeria in the products.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall involves Lidl’s Gelatelli Coffee & Vanilla Gelato with Coffee Sauce & Cookie Pieces, sold in 1-pint containers.
Ice cream recall
What they're saying:
Lidl US initiated the recall Oct. 16 after routine testing found Listeria present in a lab sample, the CPSC said. It was upgraded to Class 1 – the highest level of recall from the Food and Drug Administration – on Nov. 3.
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The pints under the recall have a UPC of 4 0564897 22458, a lot number of 085261 and a "best by" date of March 26, 2028. Those codes can be found on the bottom of the container, according to the recall advisory.
Lidl US is recalling one lot of Gelatelli Coffee & Vanille Gelato with Coffee Sauce & Cookie Pieces after a routine test revealed the presence of Listeria. (Photo: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
The recalled product is packaged in a clear plastic container with a brown lid.
It was distributed between July 19 and Oct. 15 of this year to all Lidl US retail stores.
Local perspective:
Those stores are in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.
What you can do:
Customers who have the recalled product should either discard it immediately or return it to the nearest Lidl store for a full refund.
Anyone with questions about the recall can contact the Lidl US Customer Care Hotline at 844-747-5435 Monday - Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
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What is Listeria?
Why you should care:
Listeria monocytogenes (l. monocytogenes) is a type of disease-causing bacteria that can be found in many places, including soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation, and animals. It can survive and grow even under refrigeration, the FDA says.
A listeria infection can cause:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Stiffness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
It can be serious and sometimes fatal for young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.
What is a Class I recall?
The backstory:
According to the FDA, a Class 1 recall is "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."
The Source: This article includes information from the Food and Drug Administration and previous FOX Local reporting. FOX’s Patrick Phillips and Stephanie Weaver contributed.