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  5. FDA Advises Consumers and Retailers Not to Eat, Serve, or Sell Certain Imperial-Brand Cookies and Candies
  1. Alerts, Advisories & Safety Information

FDA Advises Consumers and Retailers Not to Eat, Serve, or Sell Certain Imperial-Brand Cookies and Candies

Cookies and candies manufactured by Imperial Nougat Co. contain undeclared milk, wheat, and tree nut allergens.

 

A close-up image of the Imperial Nougat Co. brand logo. The logo features a crown at the top, a circular emblem with the text "GAZ" and "امپریال" (Imperial in Persian), surrounded by a laurel wreath design. Below the emblem, the brand name "امپریال" is displayed in large red Persian script. The background is white.

Additional Product Images

Product:

Imperial Nougat Co. manufactured the following cookies and candies that contain allergens not listed on the label:

  • IMPERIAL CHOCOLATE COVERED Chickpea Cookies (8-oz) dated 10.30.26– undeclared milk
  • CHICKPEA COOKIE bearing Imperial logo (16-oz) dated 12.28.26 – undeclared wheat
  • IMPERIAL COCONUT COOKIE (10-oz) dated 12.30.26 – undeclared tree nut, pistachio
  • IMPERIAL PERSIAN NOUGAT, SUGAR FREE (WORLDS FINEST SUGAR FREE PISTACHIO NOUGAT IN FLOUR) (20-oz) dated between 04.08.27 through 05.04.27 – undeclared wheat
  • IMPERIAL SALTANATI GAZ (48 Round Pieces of the Finest Pistachio Nougats in Flour “The Old Fashion Persian Style”) (20-oz) dated between 04.08.27 through 05.04.27 – undeclared wheat 

Health risks: 

Undeclared allergens, like milk, wheat, and tree nuts, can cause serious or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in sensitive individuals. Consumers with allergies to these ingredients are urged to carefully review product labels and avoid any items included in this safety alert. If accidental exposure occurs and symptoms develop, seek immediate medical attention.

Stores affected:  

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

Recommendation:

  • Consumers with milk, wheat, or tree nut (pistachio) allergies should check their cabinets for Imperial-brand products listed above and should not eat these products. Contact your place of purchase to return them. 
  • Distributors and retailers who received the above-mentioned Imperial-brand products should remove these products from shelves and not further distribute these products. If you further distributed these products, contact your customers and notify them of this safety alert.
  • Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

Current Update

May 26, 2026 

The 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, 2026, FDA initiated an inspection at Imperial Nougat Co. of Santa Fe Springs, CA 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) dated 10.30.26– undeclared milk
  • Chickpea cookies bearing Imperial logo (16-oz) dated 12.28.26 – undeclared wheat
  • Imperial Coconut cookies (10-oz) dated 12.30.26 – undeclared tree nut, pistachio
  • Imperial Persian Nougats, Sugar Free (Pistachio Nougat in flour) (20-oz) dated between 04.08.27 through 05.04.27 – undeclared wheat
  • IMPERIAL SALTANATI GAZ (20-oz) dated between 04.08.27 through 05.04.27 – undeclared wheat   

On May 5, 2026, FDA recommended Imperial Nougat Co. recall these products. Although Imperial Nougat Co. notified one of its customers on May 12, 2026, to remove these products off their store shelves, the company did not notify other customers who received these products. Additionally, Imperial Nougat Co. has not issued a press release to alert the public. Therefore, FDA is issuing this alert to ensure customers are aware of this safety information.

FDA may update this alert with additional products and information as it becomes available. 

Product Images

Image showing a black plastic container with a white product label affixed to the front. The label reads "IMPERIAL" vertically on the left side and displays the brand name in Persian script ("امپریال") in red. The product is identified as "CHOCOLATE COVERED Chickpea Cookies" in English and Persian. The label indicates a net weight of 8 oz. and lists ingredients: Chickpea Flour, Wheat Flour, Powder, Sugar, Palm Oil, Lecithine (Soya), Cocoa Powder, Emulsifier, and natural Vanilla. A Kosher PARVE certification

A clear plastic container of Imperial Nougat Co. Chickpea Cookies (نان نخودچی), net weight 16 oz. The label lists ingredients as chickpea, vegetable oil, sugar powder, cardamom, and pistachio. The label includes Persian script, a kosher (K Parve) certification symbol, a barcode, and decorative rose illustrations. The product is labeled "Rose Sweetie" and manufactured by Imperial Nougat Co., Tel. (562) 693-8423.

A image showing a clear plastic container filled with small, round, pale-colored coconut cookies. A white product label is affixed to the front of the container. The label reads "IMPERIAL" vertically on the left and displays the brand name in Persian script ("امپریال") in red. The product is identified as "COCONUT COOKIE" in English and "نان نارگیلی" in Persian. Net weight is listed as 10 oz. Ingredients listed are: Sugar, Egg white, Coconut, Vanilla. A red Kosher PARVE certification logo appears in the upp

A photograph of the front label of a blue and gold product box for "Imperial King of Candies," established since 1982. The label prominently displays "گز امپریال" (Imperial Gaz) in large gold Persian script. In the upper right, the product is identified in English as "PERSIAN NOUGAT – SUGAR FREE – No Cholesterol, Low Calories, 100% Natural, No Preservative." Additional English text at the bottom reads: "WORLD FINEST SUGAR FREE PISTACHIO NOUGAT IN FLOUR – 48 Round Pieces of the Finest Pistachio Nougat in Flo

A close-up photograph of the side panel of a blue and gold decorative box. The panel features ornate gold scrollwork borders along the top and bottom edges, with the Imperial Nougat Co. logo on each end. The text reads: "Manufactured by Imperial Nougat Co. P.O. Box 2851 Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 Tel: (562) 693-8423 Fax: (562) 945-8852. Questions or comments? Call Toll Free: 1(800) 4-NOUGAT. Ingredients: Mannitol, Maltitol, Pistachio, Egg white, Rose water and other natural flavor." A partially visible whit

A gold-toned product label for "Saltanati Gaz Imperial" (گز امپریال), a Persian-style pistachio nougat product made by Imperial Nougat Co. The label features large Persian script, a crown logo, and states the product contains 48 round pieces of pistachio nougat in flour in the old-fashioned Persian style. Additional text notes the product is 100% natural, contains no preservatives, has a net weight of 20 oz., contains tree nuts, and is 100% Halal. A kosher (K Parve) symbol and a barcode are also visible. T

A close-up of the side panel of the Saltanati Gaz Imperial product box, showing ingredient and manufacturer information on a dark gold background with decorative scroll borders. Ingredients listed in English are: corn syrup, sugar, pistachio nuts, egg white, Gaz angabin or natural substitute, and rose water. Ingredients are also listed in Persian script. The manufacturer is identified as Imperial Nougat Co., P.O. Box 2851, Santa Fe Springs, CA, with phone number Tel. (562) 693-8423 and a toll-free number. A

Who to Contact

Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction),
visit Industry and Consumer Assistance.

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