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Aldi controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

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  1. 2026

    Aldi UK chief executive criticises rival supermarkets' loyalty discounts

    Company response

    Aldi's UK chief executive Giles Hurley publicly accused rival supermarket chains of duping customers in some cases with loyalty discounts that start with "unrealistically high prices" and then drop. He said promotions can supplement everyday low prices only when they are real and show realistic reductions, and that schemes which "dupe customers" are not supportive or transparent. Aldi is the only major UK supermarket chain without a loyalty scheme, and a retail consultant said the comments were a distraction from competitive pressure on Aldi in the UK.

    Source excerpt

    • However, when promotions start with unrealistically high prices – and come down to prices which aren't that competitive and dupe customers – we would view that as loyalty that isn't supportive, that isn't transparent and doesn't help customers plan and budget.
    • Chief executive Giles Hurley said discounts are helpful "when they're real and when they show realistic reductions", but hit out at what he said were unrealistic reductions which "dupe customers".
    • Aldi is the only major supermarket chain that doesn't operate a loyalty scheme, which are used by millions of shoppers.
  2. 2026

    Hungary fines Aldi over advertising claims

    Fine or penalty

    Hungary's Competition Authority fined Aldi 123 million forints over advertising claims that it had the "widest selection" and the "best deals." The authority determined that the campaign made market-leading claims that were not adequately substantiated. Aldi disagreed with the decision and said it would seek judicial review.

    Hungary’s Competition Authority fined Aldi 123 million forints over advertising claims that it had the “widest selection” and the “best deals.” The authority determined that the campaign made market-leading claims that were not adequately substantiated. Aldi disagreed with the decision and said it would seek judicial review.

    Company response

    • Denial — Aldi

      Aldi Hungary disagrees with the decision and will seek judicial review of the competition authority’s ruling.
    • Remediation — Aldi

      In response to the GVH investigation, Aldi discontinued the practice in question and revised its advertising circulars.

    Source excerpt

    • In response to the GVH investigation, Aldi discontinued the practice in question and revised its advertising circulars.
    • The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has fined Aldi 123 million forints over a misleading advertising campaign in which it made unsubstantiated claims that it had the “widest selection” and the “best deals.”
    • Aldi Hungary disagrees with the decision and will seek judicial review of the competition authority’s ruling.
  3. 2021

    Aldi recalls two Kirkwood stuffed chicken products over possible Salmonella contamination

    Recall announced

    Aldi recalled Kirkwood Broccoli & Cheese Stuffed Chicken and Kirkwood Cordon Bleu Stuffed Chicken in cooperation with Serenade Foods, citing possible Salmonella contamination. Aldi removed the affected products from select stores in Minnesota and other Midwestern states.

    Source excerpt

    • Aldi removed the affected product from select stores in Minnesota, as well as other Midwestern states including Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
    • The grocery store chain says in cooperation with Serenade Foods, and out of an abundance of caution, they are recalling Kirkwood Broccoli & Cheese Stuffed Chicken and Kirkwood Cordon Bleu Stuffed Chicken.
    • They say it is a precautionary measure due to possible contamination with Salmonella.
  4. 2021

    Aldi recalls product after salmonella detection

    Recall announced

    Aldi urged shoppers to return an unnamed product after salmonella was detected.

    Company response

    • Recall — Aldi

      ALDI has urged shoppers to return a product after salmonella was detected.

    Source excerpt

    • ALDI has urged shoppers to return a product after salmonella was detected.
  5. 2021

    Toxin Free USA sues Aldi over sustainable salmon claims

    Lawsuit filed

    Toxin Free USA filed a false advertising lawsuit against Aldi, alleging that Aldi deceptively marketed its Atlantic salmon as sustainable. The complaint also alleges that the salmon is sourced from industrial fish farms in Chile using unsustainable and environmentally destructive practices.

    Stated objective. The lawsuit seeks to end Aldi’s deceptive marketing of its Atlantic Salmon products as sustainable.

    Source excerpt

    • GMO Free USA dba Toxin Free USA, a national public-interest nonprofit dedicated to consumer protection and education, filed a false advertising lawsuit against Aldi grocery stores for deceptively marketing its Atlantic Salmon products as “Simple. Sustainable. Seafood.”
    • The complaint alleges that Aldi, one of the country’s largest food retailers, sources its salmon from industrial fish farms in Chile that use unsustainable and environmentally destructive practices, including the use of toxic chemicals.
  6. 2021

    M&S files claim against Aldi over caterpillar cake

    Lawsuit filed

    Marks & Spencer filed an intellectual property claim with the High Court against Aldi over Aldi's Cuthbert the Caterpillar cake. M&S alleged that the product's similarity to Colin the Caterpillar misleads consumers and that Aldi was riding on its reputation; the source reports no ruling.

    Source excerpt

    • M&S has argued the similarity of Aldi's £4.99 Cuthbert the Caterpillar cake to its product misleads consumers, who might think they are of the same standard.
    • The grocery giant claimed Aldi was 'riding on the coat-tails' of its reputation and launched an intellectual property claim with the High Court this week.
  7. 2020

    Aldi, Hy-Vee and Jewel-Osco recall bagged salads

    Recall announced

    Aldi, Hy-Vee and Jewel-Osco announced recalls of bagged garden salads amid an investigation into a Cyclospora illness outbreak in the upper Midwest. The affected products included Aldi's Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad and Hy-Vee's store-brand Garden Salad.

    Source excerpt

    • Both the Aldi and HyVee stores have announced the recall, along with Jewel-Osco stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
    • Aldi’s Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad and Hyvee’s store brand Garden Salad are the two products being recalled locally.
    • Two area grocery store chains are recalling their bagged garden salad products after the US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control began investigating an outbreak of the intestinal illness Cyclospora in the upper Midwest.
  8. 2020

    Aldi recalls two Roosters chicken products over salmonella fears

    Recall announced

    Aldi is recalling two Roosters chicken products over fears that they contain salmonella.

    Source excerpt

    • Aldi has recalled Roosters Southern Fried Poppin’ Chicken and Roosters Breaded Poppin' Chicken because the products may contain salmonella.
    • Customers are advised not to eat these products and should return them to store for a full refund.
    • Aldi has issued an urgent recall of two of their Roosters products this week.
  9. 2019

    Sacla and retailers recall pesto products over possible peanut contamination

    Recall announced

    Sacla said it recalled every batch of every Sacla pesto recipe after learning that cashew nuts delivered by an external supplier might contain traces of peanuts. Aldi and Waitrose also recalled affected own-brand products. The Food Standards Agency warned that 25 products may be contaminated and pose a health risk to consumers with peanut allergies.

    Company response

    • Recall — Sacla

      We took immediate action to recall every batch of every Saclà pesto recipe when we were made aware that some cashew nuts, which had been delivered by an external supplier, might contain traces of peanuts.
    • Investigation — Sacla

      We have launched an in-depth investigation into this incident and we are working very closely with the Food Standards Agency.
    • Apology — Sacla

      We are extremely sorry that this has happened and we are doing everything we can to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
    • Recall — Aldi

      Aldi and Waitrose have both recalled the affected products and apologised for the inconvenience.

    Source excerpt

    • The Italian sauce company Saclà is recalling dozens of pesto products, including those sold as own brand by Waitrose and Aldi, over fears they may contain peanuts without declaring their presence.
    • The Food Standards Agency issued an allergy alert, warning that 25 products may be contaminated and pose a health risk to consumers with peanut allergies.