Soup Recalled Due to Undeclared Shellfish
There’s a significant concern regarding soup sold at Whole Foods—it’s being recalled because it might contain something unexpected: shrimp.
Kettle Cuisine is pulling back 24-ounce cups of Whole Foods Market’s Kitchen Minestrone Soup after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised alarms about undeclared shellfish in the product.
This is particularly critical for anyone with shellfish allergies, as something usually considered a comforting veggie option could quickly turn into a serious situation.
The recall spans several states, impacting vegetarian soups mainly distributed across the South, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions.
This includes a range from Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia all the way through the Carolinas to Tennessee and Florida, plus areas like Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Washington, DC.
Notably, the soup was also available online, which means it could have found its way to customers’ homes rather than just being picked up in-store.
The FDA indicated that the recall was initiated after a single cup in a store was found to have shrimp instead of what was expected. Luckily, other soups and lot codes remain unaffected.
This affected soup comes in a clear plastic container, clearly labeled with lot code 1762181, an expiration date of 5/27/2026, and UPC 099482502065 on the back.
While no illnesses have been reported, the reality is that individuals with shellfish allergies might face serious, potentially life-threatening reactions if they consume this soup unknowingly.
Customers who have purchased these specific soups are, of course, encouraged to return them for a full refund.
This recall is particularly troubling for those who thought they could safely enjoy this vegetarian staple. The affected soups were widely available throughout much of the U.S. and online.
This hearty vegetable soup was generally found in the refrigerated deli section of Whole Foods, often in the ready-to-eat section or nearby the soup and salad bar.
If you have questions about this recall, you can reach out to Kettle Cuisine at 617-409-1100 during business hours.
Interestingly, Kettle Cuisine, based in Lynn, Massachusetts, has a major manufacturing facility there.
Fortunately, there haven’t been reports of any illnesses linked to this soup, but it’s a reminder that mix-ups can lead to serious consequences. So, this situation definitely calls for a careful read of labels before you dig in.
The soup recall adds to a series of recent product scares, including a recall of over 121,000 children’s squishy toys due to asbestos concerns, along with warnings about patio swings from Costco after reports of malfunctioning seats. It’s hard to think of a relaxing weekend when unexpected hazards are in play.
For now, anyone who enjoys soup should probably take a moment to double-check the label before heating up that bowl.
