FDA Issues Allergen Advisory for Imperial Nougat Co. Cookies and Candy Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers with milk, wheat or tree nut (pistachio) allergies not to eat, and retailers not to serve or sell certain Imperial-brand cookies and candies manufactured by Imperial Nougat Co. due to milk, wheat and tree nut ingredients not being listed on the label as required.

On April 30, FDA initiated an inspection at Imperial Nougat Co. of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., and identified the following products that contain milk, wheat, and tree nuts (pistachio) but do not declare them on the label. The products include:  

• Imperial Chocolate covered chickpea cookies (8-oz) EXP 10.30.26 – undeclared milk
• Chickpea cookies bearing Imperial logo (16-oz) EXP 12.28.26 – undeclared wheat
• Imperial Coconut cookies (10-oz) EXP 12.30.26 – undeclared tree nut, pistachio
• Imperial Persian Nougats (Pistachio Nougat in flour) (20-oz) EXP DATES 04.08.27 through 05.04.27 – undeclared wheat

On May 5, FDA recommended Imperial Nougat Co. recall these products. Although Imperial Nougat Co. notified one of its customers on May 12 to remove these products from store shelves, the company did not notify other customers who received these products, said FDA. Imperial Nougat Co. has not issued a press release to alert the public, according to the agency. FDA said it is issuing an alert to ensure customers are aware of safety information.

Products were distributed to Iranian/Persian and Middle Eastern specialty markets in California.