FDA Warns Consumers Not to Eat Certain Imperial-Brand Cookies and Candies With Undeclared Allergens
FDA is warning shoppers and retailers not to eat, serve, or sell certain Imperial-brand cookies and candies made by Imperial Nougat Co. because they may contain undeclared milk, wheat, and pistachio/tree nut allergens. If anyone in your household has a milk, wheat, or tree nut allergy, this is a pantry-check item to handle right away.
The alert matters because undeclared allergens can trigger serious reactions in people who rely on the ingredient list to make safe choices. For families, that means checking not just everyday snack jars and pantry shelves, but also holiday tins, gift boxes, and mixed candy assortments that may have been tucked away and forgotten.
What FDA says to check
The FDA notice covers certain Imperial-brand cookies and candies from Imperial Nougat Co. Consumers should compare the brand name, product name, and any package identifiers listed on the official notice before deciding whether to keep or discard the item. The affected products are the specific Imperial-brand items named by FDA, not all Imperial products.
Because this is an undeclared allergen alert, people with milk, wheat, or pistachio/tree nut allergies should not eat these products. Even a small amount can matter for someone with a sensitivity or allergy. If you are unsure whether a package matches the notice, the safest step is to set it aside and not serve it.
What to do now
Do not eat, serve, or sell the affected cookies and candies. FDA’s consumer guidance is straightforward: check the label, stop using the product if it matches the alert, and follow the notice’s discard or return instructions. If you are a retailer, pull the product from shelves and hold it out of sale immediately.
At home, look in places where snack foods often get overlooked: a pantry basket, desk drawer, office candy bowl, car snack bag, or a decorative tin from a gift basket. Mixed assortments can be easy to miss, especially when the outer packaging has been opened and the original label is no longer front and center.
Reported illnesses
FDA’s notice should be checked for the latest information on whether any illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported. If the agency includes that detail, use the official wording rather than guessing or relying on social media reposts.
Simple household reminder
If someone in your home has a food allergy, this is a good time to do a quick cabinet sweep. Read labels carefully, especially on gift tins and holiday mixes, and keep any questionable Imperial-brand cookies or candies out of meals, lunchboxes, and shared snack bowls until you have matched them against the FDA alert.
