Ukrop’s Recalls Decorated Pound Cakes Over Undeclared Soy Allergen

RICHMOND, Va. (December 15, 2025) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, LLC, is recalling select decorated pound cakes because they may contain an undeclared soy allergen. According to the FDA, the company used a cake release agent containing soy during production but did not declare soy on the product labels, creating a risk for consumers with soy allergies.

Regulators said the recall affects four specific decorated pound cake varieties sold through Kroger Mid-Atlantic locations and Ukrop’s Market Hall. The agency confirmed that no illnesses have been reported to date. Still, it warned that people with soy allergies or severe sensitivities could experience reactions ranging from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis if they consume the affected products.

Ukrop’s recall: quick summary

Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods has voluntarily recalled four decorated pound cakes with a single “best by” date of December 15, 2025, after identifying an undeclared soy allergen. Kroger Mid-Atlantic stores and Ukrop’s Market Hall in Richmond distributed the products in Virginia and West Virginia. The company used a cake release agent containing soy to prevent sticking during baking. Ukrop’s advises consumers to return the products for a full refund and confirmed that no other Ukrop’s products are affected.

What happened?

The FDA said Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods initiated the recall after it discovered that it had used a cake release agent containing soy on certain decorated pound cakes without proper allergen disclosure. The company announced the recall on December 11, 2025, in coordination with the FDA, and the agency published it four days later.

In its recall notice, the FDA warned that “people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.” The company told regulators it identified the issue during an internal review of ingredients used for the affected cakes.

The recalled products were distributed through Kroger Mid-Atlantic stores (28 locations across Virginia and West Virginia) and Ukrop’s Market Hall in Richmond, Virginia. Retailers have been notified and have removed the products from shelves.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best by date	Issue	Affected areas
Ukrop’s	Pound cake w/ buttercream icing, pink roses	44 oz	72252591452	12/15/2025	Undeclared soy	VA, WV
Ukrop’s	Pound cake w/ buttercream icing, red roses (8″)	44 oz	72252591456	12/15/2025	Undeclared soy	VA, WV
Ukrop’s	Pound cake w/ buttercream icing, red roses (6″)	33 oz	72252591820	12/15/2025	Undeclared soy	Richmond, VA
Ukrop’s	Pound cake w/ buttercream icing, confetti	30 oz	72252591849	12/15/2025	Undeclared soy	Richmond, VA

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, the recall was triggered by the use of a cake release agent that contained soy, which was not declared on the final product labels. Soy is one of the major food allergens recognized by U.S. regulators. The agency confirmed that exposure can cause symptoms ranging from hives and itching to severe anaphylaxis, particularly in individuals with known soy allergies. No illnesses have been reported so far.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not consume the recalled cakes if you have a soy allergy or sensitivity
• Return the product to the retailer where it was purchased for a full refund
• Check the “best by” date (12/15/2025) and UPC on the label
• For questions, contact Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods at 804-340-3050 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. EST)

Behind the brand

Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods launched in 2010 following the sale of Ukrop’s Super Markets. Based in Richmond, Virginia, the company produces prepared foods and baked goods for retailers across the Mid-Atlantic. It stated that it has stopped distributing the affected products and is working with retailers and the FDA.

Other relevant recalls

Ukrop’s recall reflects a broader pattern of allergen-related recalls in baked goods and prepared desserts across the U.S. Source86 has recently reported similar incidents involving undeclared soy, milk, or nuts, including recalls tied to Suzanna’s Kitchen, White Castle, and Jeni’s, often linked to labeling errors or cross-contact during production at facilities supplying major retailers.

“If a product does not clearly list allergens like soy on the label, people with food allergies can be put at serious risk,” says Carol D’Lima, food technologist with the Office of Nutrition and Food Labeling at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “For any FDA-regulated food, the word ‘soy’ must appear somewhere on the label either in the ingredient list or in a ‘contains’ statement to ensure allergic consumers can make safe choices.”

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said the Ukrop’s recall underscores a larger industry responsibility.

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust,” Mizrahi said. “Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability—especially when allergens are involved.”

Ensuring safe eats

Undeclared allergen recalls remain one of the most common food safety issues in the U.S., underscoring the importance of rigorous ingredient verification and labeling controls. For consumers, checking labels and recall notices is critical, especially for those managing food allergies. For brands, transparency and rapid response help protect public trust.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production with transparency and precision, ensuring supply chains respond quickly and responsibly when issues arise. Contact us.