FDA warns shoppers about certain Imperial-brand cookies and candies with undeclared allergens
Shoppers should check their pantry, gift tins, and specialty-market treats for certain Imperial-brand cookies and candies from Imperial Nougat Co. The FDA says the products may contain undeclared milk, wheat, and/or pistachio, which makes them unsafe for people with those allergies.
According to the FDA, the recalled products were sold in California specialty markets. If you have a milk, wheat, or pistachio allergy, do not eat these items. Anyone buying snacks for a household member, friend, or holiday gift should take a close look at any Imperial-brand treats before serving them.
Products named in the FDA alert
- Imperial Nougat Co. Imperial Peanut Brittle — check the expiration date listed in the FDA notice.
- Imperial Nougat Co. Imperial Mixed Nut Brittle — check the expiration date listed in the FDA notice.
- Imperial Nougat Co. Imperial Sesame Candy — check the expiration date listed in the FDA notice.
- Imperial Nougat Co. Imperial Coconut Candy — check the expiration date listed in the FDA notice.
The FDA notice provides the exact expiration dates for these products. Readers should compare the full product name and expiration date on the package with the alert before deciding whether to keep or return the item.
The allergen issue matters because milk, wheat, and pistachio are not always obvious in packaged candies and cookies. For someone with one of these allergies, even a small amount can trigger a serious reaction. The FDA says the affected products should not be eaten by people with those allergies.
The agency’s alert says the products were distributed through California specialty markets. That narrower footprint can make them easy to miss if they were bought as a gift, tucked into a pantry, or mixed in with holiday candy.
What to do now
If you bought any Imperial-brand cookies or candies from Imperial Nougat Co., stop and check the expiration date on the package. If the product matches the FDA alert, do not eat it. Return it to the place of purchase or follow the company’s instructions in the recall notice.
The FDA notice did not report illnesses or allergic reactions at the time of publication, but that does not change the advice for allergy-sensitive households. When an allergen is undeclared, the safest step is to avoid eating the product and keep it away from shared snack spaces.
If you are sorting through family pantry items, gift baskets, or leftover holiday sweets, this is a good time to do a quick label check. A few minutes now can prevent an accidental exposure later.
