Waterbury Bakery Recalls Cookies Over Possible Allergen Contamination

Gina Marie Bakery, a well-loved spot in Waterbury, just put out a voluntary recall for six types of cookies. Turns out, some batches slipped out with undeclared allergens and artificial food dyes.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection confirmed this recall and asked folks to check what they’ve bought lately. No one’s gotten sick so far, but the bakery wants to be careful—especially for people with allergies or sensitivities.

Find Your Ideal Getaway in Connecticut
Explore top-rated stays with no booking fees and instant confirmation. Your dream trip starts here!
Start Exploring Now

The recalled cookies showed up all over Connecticut. We’re talking Hartford, Danbury, New Haven, Norwich, and even Springfield, Massachusetts. So, if you’ve picked up cookies in these areas, it’s worth paying attention.

Details of the Gina Marie Bakery Cookie Recall

These aren’t just any cookies—they’re classic Italian-style treats, the kind you see at family get-togethers and holiday parties. The Department of Consumer Protection found that the cookies have undeclared tree nuts, sesame seeds, and a handful of food dyes.

Specifically, they found almonds and sesame, plus dyes like Red 40, Red 3, Blue 1, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. Since the packaging didn’t list these, people with allergies could eat them without realizing the risk.

Varieties Affected by the Recall

The six kinds of cookies in question are:

Italian Mixed Vanilla Cookies
Italian Sesame Cookies
Vanilla Chocolate Dipped Cookies
Vanilla with Apricot Jam Cookies
Toasted Almond & Cherry Biscotti
Vanilla Cookies with Raspberry Peach Jam

Where the Cookies Were Sold

These cookies didn’t just stay local—they ended up in grocery stores, markets, and delis across Connecticut and Springfield, Massachusetts. You could’ve found them at big chains like Big Y, Stop & Shop, Labonne’s, Adam’s Markets, Highland Park Markets, and Price Chopper.

Independent grocers and all Nardelli’s locations in the state also sold them. So, if you shop in Bristol, Meriden, or Middletown, you might want to double-check your pantry.

Steps for Concerned Consumers

If you bought any of these cookies, officials say don’t eat them. Bring them back to where you got them, and you’ll get a full refund.

This is especially important if you have allergies to nuts, sesame, or certain food dyes. The Department of Consumer Protection can’t stress that enough.

Why Undeclared Allergens Are Dangerous

Undeclared allergens are a leading cause of food recalls in the U.S. Nuts and sesame seeds can trigger severe reactions, even anaphylaxis, for some people.

Artificial dyes like Red 40 or Yellow 5 can cause problems for those with sensitivities or certain health conditions. In places like Stamford and Fairfield, more people are paying attention to food labels and what’s actually in their snacks.

No Illnesses Reported — Yet

So far, nobody’s gotten sick from these cookies. Gina Marie Bakery is working with regulators to pull the affected products from shelves, showing that quick action really does matter for public health.

How This Recall Impacts Connecticut Shoppers

From West Hartford bakeries to family-owned groceries in Milford, Connecticut residents are getting a real reminder: food recalls can hit anywhere in the supply chain. Even those local brands you trust sometimes slip up with labeling.

It’s a little unsettling, honestly, to see just how connected our food system is. Products don’t just stay put—they move all over Connecticut and even slip into Massachusetts.

If you bought cookies from Gina Marie Bakery or any of the stores on the recall list, it’s probably worth a quick peek in your pantry. Catching this now could help you avoid a nasty allergic reaction.

If you’re in Connecticut—maybe Waterbury, Hartford, Stamford, New Haven, Bristol, Meriden, Middletown, or Fairfield—and you recently picked up Gina Marie Bakery cookies, double-check the recalled types. Bring them back to the store for a refund.

Here is the source article for this story: Waterbury bakery issues recall of cookies

Discover Your Perfect Stay in Connecticut
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now