Urgent recall issued for coffee and vanilla ice cream sold in 9 states after testing revealed contamination with deadly bacteria

Ice cream is being recalled in multiple states over fears it may be contaminated with a life-threatening bacteria.

The grocery store Lidl US is recalling one lot of Gelatelli Coffee & Vanilla Gelato with Coffee Sauce & Cookie Pieces.

The recall was initiated after routine quality testing identified Listeria monocytogenes present on a lab sample. 

Listeria monocytogenes are bacteria that cause listeriosis, a dangerous food-borne illness.

The recall applies to 16-ounce (1-pint) lots of the gelato with a best-by date of March 26, 2028. 

The universal product code is 40564897 and the lot number is 085261. 

The recalled product was distributed to Lidl US retail stores between July 19, 2026 and October 15, 2026 in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as Washington, DC. 

No illnesses in connection to the recall have been reported to date. 

The recall notice urges consumers to immediately discard the recalled gelato or return it to their nearest Lidl store for a refund. 

Lidl said: ‘The health and safety of our customers is our top priority. 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.’

Listeria can be found in moist environments, soil, water, decaying vegetation and animals, and can survive refrigeration and other food preservation measures.

Many foods can harbor the pathogen, but it is usually found in unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses and ready-to-eat foods, such as pre-packed sandwiches.

Cooked shellfish, cured meats and fish, including sushi and pre-cut fruit, are also a risk.

While most of the 1,250 Americans infected with listeria each year recover on their own, the infection can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

About 250 Americans die of the infection each year, which can occur if the infection spreads beyond the gut and affects the central nervous system.