FDA issues urgent recall for Connecticut-made cookies over undeclared almonds and multiple food dyes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday announced an urgent recall of six cookie products made by Gina Marie Bakery of Waterbury, Connecticut, after the company failed to list multiple undeclared ingredients, including almonds and several synthetic food dyes.

The recall covers 1-pound and 2-pound packages of Italian Mixed Vanilla Cookies, Italian Sesame Cookies, Vanilla Chocolate Dipped Cookies, Vanilla with Apricot Jam Cookies, Toasted Almond & Cherry Biscotti, and Vanilla Cookies with Raspberry Peach Jam. The FDA said the products contain undeclared almonds, sesame and one or more of the food dyes Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Red 3 and Blue 1. The items were sold at grocery stores across Connecticut, including Stop & Shop and Price Chopper locations, and some packages were sold under the Nardelli label.

The recall was initiated after the bakery discovered the presence of allergens and dyes that were not listed on product ingredient labels. No illnesses or allergic reactions linked to these products have been reported to date, the FDA said. Gina Marie Bakery and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection have suspended sales of the affected products while they investigate and correct the labeling and manufacturing issues.

The FDA warned that people with allergies to tree nuts, sesame seeds or sensitivities to food dyes face a risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume the recalled cookies. Allergic reactions can range from hives and gastrointestinal symptoms to anaphylaxis, a rapid-onset condition that can impair breathing, lower blood pressure and cause loss of consciousness. Treatment for anaphylaxis typically requires immediate administration of epinephrine.

Food dyes cited in the recall have also been the subject of health concerns. Studies have found that some synthetic dyes cause cancer in laboratory animals, and researchers have raised concerns about potential carcinogenicity in humans. Synthetic food dyes have also been linked in research to exacerbation of neurobehavioral symptoms in children, including hyperactivity and inattention, particularly among those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

According to federal and industry data, synthetic dyes are widely used in U.S. food products. The USDA Branded Food Products Database shows more than 36,000 products list Red 40 and more than 8,000 list Red 3. Separately, public-health estimates indicate roughly 3.9 million Americans have tree nut allergies, with almond allergy accounting for 9% to 15% of those cases. Sesame allergy affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans, about 1.1 million of whom have a clinical diagnosis. Estimates for sensitivity to food dyes range into the millions, with some studies suggesting up to about 2% of children may be affected.

Undeclared allergens typically enter finished foods through cross-contact, the accidental introduction of a major allergen during manufacturing, packaging or handling. The FDA enforces labeling rules that require manufacturers to declare major food allergens and to adopt controls intended to prevent cross-contact. The agency has emphasized that accurate labeling is essential to protect consumers with food allergies and sensitivities.

Food-induced anaphylaxis has driven an increase in emergency department visits over the past decades. A review of a national database covering 2005 to 2014 found 7,310 emergency visits for food-induced anaphylaxis and noted an overall increase in such visits, with reactions involving tree nuts and seeds rising markedly.

This recall follows other recent FDA actions in 2025 involving undeclared almonds; the agency issued similar recalls earlier this year for certain ice cream products after almond contamination was detected. The FDA continues to monitor and inspect operations and has advised consumers to check their pantries for the listed products.

Consumers who purchased the recalled cookies should return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Anyone who believes they experienced an adverse reaction after eating the products should seek medical attention promptly and report the event to the FDA. Retailers or consumers with questions may contact the bakery or the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection for more information.