Sec. 570.100 Jordan Almonds - Common or Usual Name (CPG 7112.01)
BACKGROUND:
Administration Information Letter (AIL) No. 173, October 20, 1941, stated that the term
"Jordan" almonds was not considered misleading solely because almonds were not
of Palestinian origin. This AIL read as follows:
"We have your letter of September 28 inquiring as to the use of the term 'Jordan Almonds' on labels for sugar-coated almonds in which almonds other than 'genuine Spanish Jordan Almonds' are used.
"Upon receipt of a similar inquiry as to the present-day consumer understanding of
the term 'Jordan Almonds" in connection with the confection you have in mind we
undertook a little research as to the origin and evolution of the term. As far as we can
determine the term 'Jordan Almonds' according to one source of information came from the
French word 'jardin,' meaning 'garden,' 'hence, a cultivated almond' (Webster's New
International Dictionary). Another source of information indicated that at one time the
term referred to a variety of almonds originally grown along the Jordan River in Palestine
characterized by long, thin, slender, rather smooth kernels in thick, heavy shells.
"The information we were able to elicit as to present-day trade and consumer
understanding led us to conclude that to consumers the term may have no significance other
than identification of the confection consisting of candy-coated almonds so long as the
almonds used are of a certain type or shape that has been found most suitable for candy
coating -- in other words, a shape similar to that of the original Jordan almond which
would be a long, thin, slender, rather smooth kernel in a thick, heavy shell.
"In the light of our present information we have not been disposed to institute
action against this confection labeled 'Jordan Almonds' if the almonds used are of a
variety having the physical characteristics described above no matter what may be their
source. Of course if it should develop that consumers are in fact being misled as to the
identity of the almonds used by this term it would be necessary for us to recall this
opinion and advise the trade accordingly."
POLICY:
The term "Jordan Almonds" is considered the common or usual name for
candy-coated almonds. The almonds used are varieties that are long, thin, slender, rather
smooth kernels.
Issued: 8/20/73
Reissued: 10/1/80, 12/2/88