Charlotte NC, December 25, 2025
A single ticket sold in Arkansas has won a historic $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot, the second-largest in U.S. history. Meanwhile, Silvestri Sweets Inc. has expanded a nationwide recall for Choceur-branded Holiday Barks sold at Aldi due to undeclared allergens. Consumers are urged to check their products for undeclared pecans and wheat to avoid serious health risks.
Charlotte News Update: Powerball Jackpot Won, Aldi Holiday Bark Recalled
Charlotte, NC – A single ticket sold in Arkansas has claimed the staggering $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot from the drawing on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. This makes it the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won. In other urgent news for consumers, Silvestri Sweets Inc. has expanded a nationwide recall for its Choceur-branded Holiday Barks sold at Aldi stores due to undeclared allergens, specifically pecans and wheat, posing serious health risks to individuals with related allergies.
Nationwide Lottery Excitement Culminates in Arkansas Win
The Powerball jackpot, which had been steadily climbing for weeks, found a winner in Arkansas following the December 24, 2025 drawing. The winning numbers were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, with the red Powerball number being 19. The Power Play multiplier was 2. This monumental win comes with a cash option of $834.9 million.
While one lucky ticket secured the grand prize, many other players across the nation also won significant cash prizes. Eight tickets matched all five white balls, earning $1 million each. These winning Match 5 tickets were sold in California, Indiana, Michigan, New York (two tickets), Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Additionally, the drawing produced 114 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 31 tickets that won $100,000 prizes.
The December 24 Powerball drawing marked the 47th in the jackpot run, setting a new game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The jackpot was last won on September 6, when two tickets in Missouri and Texas shared a $1.787 billion prize.
Expanded Recall of Aldi Holiday Bark Due to Undeclared Allergens
Silvestri Sweets Inc. has announced an expanded voluntary recall of its 5-ounce bags of Choceur-branded Holiday Barks sold nationwide at Aldi stores. The recall is due to the presence of undeclared pecans and wheat, which were not listed on the product labels. This poses a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction risk for individuals with sensitivities to these allergens.
The affected products include Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark, which may contain undeclared pecans, and Choceur Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark, which may contain undeclared wheat. The recall was initiated after a packaging mix-up, where the two varieties were accidentally placed in each other’s bags.
Details of Recalled Products (Nationwide)
Consumers should check for the following products:
- Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark (5-ounce stand-up pouch bags)
- Lot #: 28525, Best By: 05/2026
- Lot #: 29925, Best By: 05/2026
- Lot #: 30625, Best By: 06/2026
- Previous recall also included Lot #: 29225, Best By: 05/2026
- Choceur Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark (5-ounce stand-up pouch bags)
- Lot #: 28525, Best By: 08/2026
- Lot #: 29925, Best By: 08/2026
- Lot #: 30625, Best By: 09/2026
- Previous recall also included Lot #: 29225, Best By: 08/2026
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this expanded recall. However, the FDA urges all customers who have purchased these products to discard them immediately or return them to any Aldi store for a full refund.
The issue is believed to have been caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process.
For questions or further information, consumers can contact Silvestri Sweets Inc. directly at 1-630-232-2500.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What were the winning Powerball numbers for the December 24, 2025 drawing?
- The winning Powerball numbers for the December 24, 2025 drawing were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, with the red Powerball number being 19.
- Was there a Powerball jackpot winner on December 24, 2025?
- Yes, a single ticket sold in Arkansas claimed the $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot.
- Which holiday bark products sold at Aldi have been recalled?
- Silvestri Sweets Inc. has recalled Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark and Choceur Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark sold nationwide at Aldi stores.
- Why were the Aldi holiday bark products recalled?
- The Aldi holiday bark products were recalled due to the presence of undeclared pecans and wheat, which were not listed on the product labels. This was caused by a packaging mix-up.
- What should consumers do if they have the recalled Aldi holiday bark?
- Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discard them immediately or return them to any Aldi store for a full refund.
- Is the Aldi holiday bark recall Nationwide or limited to certain states?
- The recall of Aldi holiday bark products is Nationwide.
Key Features Summary
| Event | Details | Scope | Action for Consumers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball Jackpot Win (December 24, 2025) | Single ticket won $1.817 billion jackpot. Winning numbers: 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, Powerball 19. | Nationwide | Check tickets for winning numbers. |
| Aldi Holiday Bark Recall | Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark (undeclared pecans) and Choceur Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark (undeclared wheat) recalled due to packaging error. | Nationwide | Discard products or return to Aldi for a full refund. Contact Silvestri Sweets at 1-630-232-2500 for questions. |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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