Lidl recalls shortbread cookies over missing allergen labels

No illnesses have been reported, Lidl said. The company told customers not to eat the cookies and to either throw them away or return them to any Lidl store for a full refund. A receipt is not required.

For a German discount chain that has expanded rapidly across the eastern U.S. in recent years – it now operates in 10 states – a labeling error of this kind can be particularly disruptive. Lidl's supply chain relies on imported European private-label goods like the Eridanous cookies, and the foreign-language packaging suggests a batch was shipped without the bilingual labels that U.S. regulations require. The FDA mandates that all packaged foods sold domestically carry English ingredient and allergen information, with food allergens listed by their common names.

The recall is the second food-safety incident for Lidl US in recent months. In May, the chain recalled multiple cheese products over potential Listeria contamination. A pattern of import-labeling failures could draw closer FDA scrutiny of the company's quality-control procedures for overseas suppliers.

Consumers with questions can reach Lidl's customer care hotline at (844) 747-5435, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.