Lidl expands cookie recall after boxes left out allergen warnings in nearly a dozen states

A cookie labeling mistake may not sound like a trivial issue, but for people with food allergies, missing ingredient or allergen details pose a critical health concern. Lidl US has expanded its recall of two Eridanous shortbread cookie products after some boxes were sold with foreign-language packaging that didn't include the required English safety information.

What happened?

After starting the recall on July 24, Lidl US widened it when a supplier records review pointed to more units of the coconut-sprinkle variety that may have been shipped with the same labeling problem, according to Food Safety News.

The recall includes these products: 11.6-ounce boxes of "Eridanous Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Truffle Coating & Apricot Filling" with UPC 4056489125839 and "Eridanous Shortbread Cookies with Apricot Filling and Cocoa Topping with Coconut Sprinkles" with UPC 4056489125846; both were sold with a foreign-language ingredients and nutrition panel.

According to Lidl US, as cited by Food Safety News, the issue is with the packaging rather than the cookies themselves. The affected boxes did not include English ingredients, nutrition facts, or the required allergen statements, and the products contain wheat, soy, milk, egg, and coconut.

Lidl US said the products were sold from July 15 through July 28 at its retail stores across 10 jurisdictions: Delaware; the District of Columbia; Georgia; Maryland; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; and Virginia. No illnesses have been reported.

Why does it matter?

Everyone should be able to grab a snack at the grocery store with confidence that the label clearly and accurately explains what they're buying — not just for taste, but also to guard against serious health risks.

People with allergies or sensitivities to wheat, soy, milk, egg, or coconut could face severe, even life-threatening, reactions if they eat the recalled cookies, Lidl warned, according to Food Safety News.

What can I do?

If you purchased either Eridanous cookie product listed in the recall, check the box carefully for the UPC and for foreign-language labeling that does not include English ingredients, nutrition facts, or allergen information. If your package matches the recall, do not eat the cookies.

The missing English labeling on the recalled boxes included ingredient, nutrition, and allergen information related to wheat, soy, milk, egg, and coconut.

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