Favorina Recalls Chocolate Ladybugs German-Style Nougat Over Undeclared Hazelnut Allergen

ARLINGTON, VA (March 12, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Lidl US is recalling its Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs – German-Style Nougat candy due to an undeclared hazelnut allergen. According to the FDA, the affected product may pose a serious health risk to people with hazelnut allergies because the packaging does not disclose the presence of the tree nut.

Regulators said the voluntary recall applies to specific boxes of the chocolate candy distributed across multiple East Coast states. The company identified the issue after discovering that it had packaged products containing hazelnuts without proper allergen labeling.

Favorina recall: quick summary

The recall involves Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs – German-Style Nougat candies sold in 3.52-ounce boxes at Lidl stores in several U.S. states. The problem stems from undeclared hazelnuts, a tree nut allergen that can trigger severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. According to the FDA, the recall affects all lots of the product distributed between late January and mid-March 2026. Although no illnesses have been reported, regulators and the company are urging customers not to consume the candy and to return it to their nearest Lidl store for a refund.

What happened?

The FDA said Lidl US initiated the recall after the company discovered that it had distributed candy containing hazelnuts in packaging that failed to disclose the allergen.

The recall affects Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs – German-Style Nougat candies sold in 3.52-ounce boxes with UPC 20304492. Regulators said the company distributed the products between January 28 and March 11, 2026.

Distribution included Lidl locations across several states: Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “people who have allergies to hazelnuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.”

The FDA also confirmed that no illnesses related to the product have been reported to date.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best by date	Issue	Affected states
Favorina	Chocolate Ladybugs – German-Style Nougat	3.52 oz	20304492	All lots	Undeclared hazelnut allergen	DE, DC, GA, MD, NJ, NY, NC, PA, SC, VA

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, the company triggered the recall after it mislabeled the product and failed to declare hazelnuts as an ingredient. Food safety regulations classify hazelnuts as tree nuts, one of the major allergens that manufacturers must clearly list on packaging under U.S. labeling laws.

Tree nut allergies can cause reactions ranging from mild symptoms such as hives or itching to severe complications, including anaphylaxis. Symptoms may include swelling of the lips or throat, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, and dizziness.

Children and adults with known tree nut allergies are the most vulnerable group. The FDA confirmed that no illnesses related to the recalled product have been reported so far.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not consume the recalled Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs candy.
• Check the product packaging for the 3.52 oz box with UPC 20304492.
• Return the product to the nearest Lidl US store to receive a full refund; you do not need a receipt.
• Consumers with questions can contact Lidl US Customer Care at (844) 747-5435, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

Behind the brand

Lidl US is the American division of the European discount supermarket chain Lidl, known for its private-label grocery products and rapidly expanding footprint across the United States.

The company said customer safety remains its top priority. In its recall notice, Lidl stated that its Quality Assurance Department continuously monitors product safety and quality standards across store shelves.

The company added that it “regrets any inconvenience related to this voluntary recall” and emphasized its commitment to maintaining high food safety standards.

Source86 reached out to Lidl US for additional comment on how the labeling issue occurred, but has not yet received a response.

Other relevant recalls

Food recalls tied to undeclared allergens remain one of the most common issues reported to regulators. In recent months, Source86 has covered several similar cases involving mislabeled products. These include the Costco Recalls Mini Beignets Over Undeclared Hazelnut Allergen, Atwater’s Recalls Cookie Tins Over Undeclared Tree Nut Allergens, Gregory’s Foods Recalls Bag Full of Cookies Frozen Cookie Dough Over Undeclared Peanuts, and Fran’s Chocolates Recalls Plant-Based Bars Due to Undeclared Hazelnuts. Each case highlights how labeling errors or ingredient disclosure gaps can create serious risks for consumers with food allergies.

In a separate case involving chocolate products spiked with undeclared pharmaceutical compounds, Gear Isle recently issued a voluntary nationwide recall of its Gold Lion Aphrodisiac Chocolate Sachet and ilum Sex Chocolate after both were found to contain undeclared sildenafil and tadalafil — active ingredients in the prescription drugs Viagra and Cialis. While the nature of that recall differs from an allergen labeling issue, both cases underscore the same core failure: consumers receiving products that do not accurately disclose what is inside them.

Dr. Jaclyn Bjelac, a pediatric allergist at the Cleveland Clinic, explains that tree nut allergies can cause unpredictable reactions and require careful labeling. “Tree nuts such as walnut, almond, and hazelnut are common allergens, and reactions can range from mild symptoms to severe allergic responses,” she said when discussing food allergy risks.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said that while the Lidl recall involves a single product, it reflects a broader industry challenge.

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust,” Mizrahi said. “Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability.”

Broader pattern

Allergen labeling issues continue to represent a major share of FDA food recalls each year. Manufacturers most commonly misdeclare ingredients such as tree nuts, milk, peanuts, wheat, and soy in packaged foods.

Industry experts say the growing complexity of supply chains and private-label manufacturing increases the need for strict ingredient verification and packaging oversight.

Ensuring safe eats

While no illnesses have been reported in this case, the Favorina recall highlights the importance of accurate allergen labeling to protect consumers with food allergies. Even small labeling errors can create significant health risks for sensitive individuals.

Food companies must maintain strong ingredient traceability systems and verify packaging labels to prevent similar incidents.

Consumers who purchased the recalled candy should return it to their local Lidl store for a refund.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private-label production with transparency and precision, ensuring supply chains can respond quickly when recalls occur. Contact us.