Gina Marie Bakery, based in Waterbury, Connecticut, has announced a recall of several types of cookies due to undeclared allergens and food dyes. The affected products include 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 recall covers 1lb and 2lb packages of these cookies. According to the company, the products contain undeclared almonds, sesame seeds, and food dyes such as Red 40, Red 3, Blue 1, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. Individuals who have allergies to nuts, sesame seeds or food dyes could face serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these items.
Distribution of the recalled cookies was limited to Connecticut but also reached some locations in Springfield, Massachusetts. Retailers carrying the products include Big Y stores (Connecticut and Springfield), Stop and Shop (Connecticut), Labonne’s Supermarkets (Watertown and Prospect), Adam’s Markets (Milford and Watertown), Highland Park Markets (Glastonbury, Manchester and Farmington), Price Chopper (Newington, Bristol and Middletown), T+K Supermarket in East Haven, Kensington Market (Kensington), Public Market of Newington (Newington), Raggozzino’s (Plantsville), Lewis Farms (Southington), Durham Market (Durham), Liuzzi Gourmet Food Market (North Haven), Cappetta (West Haven), Roma Importing Market (Shelton), Walsh Market (Wolcott), Tops Market (Plantsville), The Local Gourmet (Southbury), CT Fresh Fruit and Produce (Wallingford), Wayside Market (Waterbury), Jimmy’s Store (Torrington), La Molisana Sausage (Waterbury), New Fairfield Food Center Market (New Fairfield), Pat’s IGA (Wolcott), Watertown Meat Center (Watertown), Tommy’s Place and Market (Bristol), Cavallo’s Deli and Imported Italian Food (Waterbury) and La Strega Italian Deli in Middlebury. Additionally, all Nardelli’s Connecticut stores sold the cookies under a Nardelli label.
The affected products are packaged in clear clamshell containers weighing either one or two pounds. So far there have been no reports of illness linked to the recalled cookies.
"The recall was initiated after it was discovered that above-mentioned products were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of allergens."
Sales have been suspended until both Consumer Protection authorities and Gina Marie Bakery confirm that the issue is resolved.
"Consumers who have purchased 1lb or 2 lb packages of the above-mentioned cookies are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 203-596-8007."
