Aldi issues urgent recall for own-brand ice cream due to contamination with deadly allergen

Aldi is urgently recalling its Gianni’s Cheeky Monkey Ice Cream over fears it could trigger life-threatening allergic reactions. 

The own-brand ice cream has been pulled from shelves because it contains wheat which is not mentioned on the label.

According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) this means the product is a ‘possible health risk for anyone with coeliac disease and/or intolerance to wheat (gluten).’ 

Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition caused by an adverse reaction to gluten—found in wheat, barley and rye—where a sufferer’s immune system attacks their own tissue.

Whilst it is not considered a food allergy or intolerance, eating foods that contain gluten can trigger a range of symptoms including indigestion, nerve damage, infertility and even disorders that affection coordination, balance and speech. 

For those with a wheat allergy however, eating contaminated products can cause a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis—triggering a drop in blood pressure, swelling of the throat and loss of consciousness—in a matter of minutes. 

Aldi says the recall affects Gianni’s Cheeky Monkey Ice Cream 500ml tubs with a best before date of 14 August 2027. 

It added: ‘Customers are asked to return this product to their nearest store, where a full refund will be given. 

‘We apologise that this product did not meet our normal high standards and thank you for your co-operation.’ 

The FSA, which published the alert, issues recalls if there is a risk to consumers because the required allergy label is missing or incorrect, or if there is any other food allergy risk, meaning that a food product should not be sold. 

The supermarket has also issued a point of sale notice to its customers, informing them why the product is being recalled and what to do if they have already purchased the ice cream. 

For more information customers are advised to visit Aldi’s website or call its customer service team on 0800 042 0800. 

Coeliac disease is thought to affect around one in every 100 people. 

For sufferers of coeliac disease or any other condition which makes them gluten intolerant, an allergic reaction can cause symptoms ranging from rashes to trouble breathing and even unconsciousness.

It’s not entirely clear what causes the immune system to act this way, but a combination of genetics and the environment appear to play a part.

But even a small amount of an undeclared allergen, such as wheat, can be enough to trigger a reaction in a highly sensitive individual. 

Notable fatal cases in recent years have raised awareness of how devastating accidental exposure can be.

In 2016, Natasha Ednan-Laperouse collapsed and died on a flight after unknowingly eating sesame in a Pret a Manger baguette.

Her death prompted new UK labelling laws — known as Natasha’s Law — mandating clearer allergy information on pre-packed foods. 

While this case involved sesame, experts warn that poor labelling on packaged goods remains a key risk for allergy sufferers.

Around 6 per cent of the UK adult population, around 2.4 million people, have a confirmed food allergy.

But in general, they are just told to avoid eating what they’re allergic to, there is no treatment.

Bereaved families of those who have lost children to allergic reactions have repeatedly called for the Government to appoint an allergy tsar to improve NHS services and awareness of allergies, to prevent avoidable ill health and death.