In a significant food safety alert, discount supermarket chain Aldi has been forced to pull a popular children's ice cream product from its shelves across the United Kingdom. The recall affects Gianni's Cheeky Monkey Ice Cream, which has been found to contain undeclared wheat and gluten.
What's the Problem?
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued the urgent alert after discovering that the product contains ingredients not mentioned on the packaging label. This poses a serious health risk to consumers with coeliac disease, gluten intolerance, or wheat allergies.
The affected product details are:
- Product: Gianni's Cheeky Monkey Ice Cream
- Pack size: 4 x 100ml
- Best before date: 31 March 2026
What Should Consumers Do?
Aldi has instructed customers who have purchased this specific batch to take immediate action:
- Do not consume the product if you have a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance
- Return the item to your nearest Aldi store for a full refund
- No receipt is required for the return and refund process
Why This Matters
For individuals with coeliac disease or severe wheat allergies, consuming even small amounts of gluten can trigger serious health complications. Symptoms can range from digestive issues and discomfort to potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions in severe cases.
The FSA emphasised the importance of this recall, stating that the presence of undeclared allergens makes the product "unsafe for consumers who are allergic or intolerant to wheat or gluten."
This incident serves as a crucial reminder for all food manufacturers to maintain strict labelling accuracy and for consumers to remain vigilant about checking product information, especially when dealing with food allergies.
