Whole Foods Market Recalls Minestrone Soup Over Undeclared Shrimp Allergen

LYNN, Mass. (May 21, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Kettle Cuisine is recalling select cups of Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup because the product may contain undeclared shrimp. According to the FDA, consumers with allergies to crustacean shellfish, including shrimp, could face serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the affected soup.

Regulators said the recall impacts 24-ounce cups of Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup distributed to retail stores across multiple states and sold nationwide through online channels, including Whole Foods and Amazon. The agency confirmed that no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall so far.

Whole Foods Market recall: quick summary

The recall covers 24-ounce cups of Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup sold in stores and online. According to the FDA, Kettle Cuisine discovered that workers placed the wrong soup containing shrimp into mislabeled containers. Consumers with shellfish allergies should not consume the product and should return it for a full refund. The affected soup carries a specific lot code and use-by date, and the recall does not affect any other soup varieties or production dates.

What happened?

The FDA said Kettle Cuisine initiated the recall after discovering that a single cup of Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup contained the wrong soup product, which included shrimp. Subsequently, the company announced the recall on May 21, 2026, in coordination with the Whole Foods Market.

Kettle Cuisine, a Massachusetts-based food manufacturer known for soups and prepared meals, told regulators that employees identified the issue during an in-store review. According to the FDA notice, the company packaged the recalled soup in a 24-ounce clear plastic cup with Lot Code 1762181 and a use-by date of May 27, 2026, printed on the top rim. The company also placed UPC number 099482502065 on the back label.

The affected soup was distributed to Whole Foods retail stores across 18 states and Washington, D.C., and also sold online nationwide through Whole Foods and Amazon.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “people who have allergies to Crustacean Shellfish (Shrimp) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.” The agency also noted that “no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this soup.”

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best by date	Issue	Affected states or zones
Whole Foods Market Kitchen	Minestrone Soup	24 oz	099482502065	05/27/26	Undeclared shrimp allergen	AL, CT, DC, FL, GA, MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, and nationwide online sales

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, Kettle Cuisine triggered the recall after employees discovered that a cup labeled as minestrone actually contained a soup product with shrimp. The labeling error put consumers with crustacean shellfish allergies at risk.

Shellfish allergies can cause reactions ranging from mild symptoms, including hives and nausea, to severe anaphylaxis that can become life-threatening without immediate treatment. Children and adults with diagnosed shellfish allergies face the highest risk.

The agency confirmed that no consumers had reported illnesses or allergic reactions when the company announced the recall. Shellfish exposure can cause swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, and skin reactions.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not consume the recalled soup if you have a shellfish allergy.
• Return the affected product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
• Check the top rim of the cup for Lot Code 1762181 and Use By date 05/27/26.
• Verify the UPC number 099482502065 on the back label.
• Consumers with questions can contact Kettle Cuisine at 617-409-1100 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.

Behind the brand

Kettle Cuisine operates as a prepared foods manufacturer headquartered in Lynn, Massachusetts, and specializes in soups, broths, sauces, and ready-to-eat meals for grocery retailers and foodservice companies. The company supplies products to major retailers, including Whole Foods Market, and builds its business around small-batch-style prepared foods.

The company’s recall notice states that it has “ceased distribution of the affected product” and is cooperating closely with regulators and retail partners during the recall process.

Other relevant recalls

This recall follows several recent allergen-related food recalls across the U.S. food industry involving undeclared shellfish, dairy, peanuts, sesame, soy, wheat, and other major allergens. Similar recalls have highlighted how packaging mix-ups and labeling verification failures continue to pose risks for allergy-sensitive consumers. Recent examples include Market Of Choice’s recall of Vegan Kale Caesar Salad over undeclared sesame allergen concerns, Giovanni Rana’s recall of Beef and Burrata Ravioli due to undeclared shellfish allergens, and Loard’s recall of multiple ice cream products tied to labeling and undeclared allergen issues. Other notable incidents include Blueroot Health’s recall of Vital Nutrients Aller-C dietary supplements over undeclared egg, hazelnut, and soy allergens, Wawa’s recall of several beverage products over possible undeclared milk allergen contamination, and Mama Grande’s recall of Gorditas de Azucar and Doraditas de Azucar because of undeclared wheat and soy allergens.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said recalls like this underscore the importance of transparency and supplier accountability throughout the food supply chain.

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

Broader pattern

This is the latest in a growing number of allergen-related recalls affecting prepared foods sold through national grocery chains and e-commerce platforms. Industry analysts say the rise of prepared meal offerings and centralized packaging systems has increased the importance of strict allergen verification protocols.

Undeclared allergen recalls remain one of the most common food safety issues tracked by the FDA, particularly involving products containing shellfish, dairy, peanuts, soy, and wheat. Retailers and manufacturers have continued investing in automated quality-control checks and traceability systems to reduce labeling errors and improve recall response times.

Ensuring safe eats

The Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup recall serves as another reminder of how critical accurate labeling and packaging controls are within the food industry. Even isolated mistakes can create serious risks for consumers managing food allergies, making preventive quality assurance systems essential at every stage of production and distribution.

Consumers who purchased the affected soup should verify the lot code and return the product if it matches the recall details. Manufacturers and retailers, meanwhile, are under increasing pressure to strengthen verification procedures, improve traceability, and respond quickly when issues arise.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, private label production, and supply chain transparency to support faster response times and stronger consumer trust when recalls occur. Contact us.