On May 21, 2026, Kettle Cuisine of Lynn, Massachusetts issued a recall notice regarding 24-ounce cups of Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup that could possibly contain undeclared shrimp. This Whole Foods minestrone soup recall is due to an issue where the affected food product contains a crustacean shellfish allergen which was not supposed to be present. The FDA has announced the food recall alert on the very same day. Individuals with an allergy to crustacean shellfish, including shrimp, are at risk of developing a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction by consuming the affected soup. [1]

United States: Whole Foods Market Minestrone Soup Recall Due to Undeclared Shrimp

Recall Sep 15, 2026

Category of the Product: Food & Beverages – Allergens

Type of the Product: Minestrone Soup

Reason for Announcement: Potential undeclared shrimp in Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup.

On May 21, 2026, Kettle Cuisine of Lynn, Massachusetts issued a recall notice regarding 24-ounce cups of Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup that could possibly contain undeclared shrimp. This Whole Foods minestrone soup recall is due to an issue where the affected food product contains a crustacean shellfish allergen which was not supposed to be present. The FDA has announced the food recall alert on the very same day. Individuals with an allergy to crustacean shellfish, including shrimp, are at risk of developing a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction by consuming the affected soup. [1]

Reason for Warning

The recall was initiated because the affected soup may contain undeclared shrimp, which is a crustacean shellfish allergen. The FDA has mentioned that people with an allergy to crustacean shellfish, including shrimp, may have a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product. This makes accurate allergen information particularly important for consumers who rely on food labels to avoid shellfish exposure.

What Triggered the Recall?

This recall was initiated after an in-store discovery it was found out that a cup of soup had the wrong product in it, and the soup inside the cup contained shrimp. The FDA notice did not reveal any information regarding a broader manufacturing or supplier issue. According to the FDA notice, no other soups and use-by codes have been affected by this recall.

The issue confirmed was the presence of shrimp in the recalled soup cup that was not labelled on the product. The FDA notice does not provide any further information regarding how the wrong product entered the cup. [1] [2]  

Recalled Product Specifics

Product Details

Information

Brand H2

Whole Foods Market

Product

Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup

Package Size

24 oz

Packaging

Clear plastic cup

Lot Code

1762181

Use By Date

05/27/26

UPC

099482502065

The lot code can be seen on the rim of the top of the cup, and the UPC identifier code is located on the back label of the cup.

Affected Distribution and Retailers

The recalled soup was distributed in Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

The product was sold through Whole Foods retail stores and nationwide through online sales on the Whole Foods and Amazon websites. [1]

Health Issue Identified

The affected product could have the undeclared presence of shrimp, which would lead to a shellfish allergy recall concern for people who are allergic to crustacean shellfish. According to the FDA, consumption of the product could pose health risks due to severe or life-threatening allergic reactions.

As of the FDA announcement, there had been no reported illnesses related to the soup. [3]

Concerns from Regulatory Body

Undeclared Shrimp Allergen

This recall shows the importance of accurate allergen information on packaged food products. The presence of an undeclared crustacean shellfish allergen can create a significant shellfish allergen risk for consumers who depend on accurate labelling when selecting food products.

This recall also illustrates the significance of detection and consumer recall notice in providing relevant information about the product, distribution information, and actions required by consumers.

Whole Foods - Blog 1 - FRL

Manufacturer and Consumer Guidance

For Consumers

Consumers who purchased the affected product should:

  • Check the label for Lot Code 1762181 and Use By 05/27/26.
  • Do not consume the affected soup if you are allergic to crustacean shellfish.
  • Return the affected product to the place where you purchased it for a full refund.
  • Contact Kettle Cuisine at 617-409-1100 from Monday- Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET for more information.

For Manufacturer

The recall describes the affected lot number and use-by date and states that no other soups or use-by codes were affected. For manufacturers, this highlights the importance of being able to properly identify the scope of affected product once a product identity and/or allergen problem has been found.  [4]

FRL Commentary

This retail food recall highlights the importance of managing the identity and allergen information of the product throughout the entire process of production, packaging and distribution. In the case of multi-component foods such as prepared soups, manufacturers should ensure that the product placed in each package corresponds with the correct product identity and allergen declaration.

At Food Research Lab, practical controls include:

  • Allergen risk assessment: Assessment of the allergens present in every ingredient and final formulation.
  • Supplier specifications: Having updated ingredient and allergen information from the supplier.
  • Formulation and Label change control: Reassess labels whenever there are any changes in the ingredients, supplier, or formulation.
  • Production and Packaging controls: Verify that the correct product is placed in the corresponding packaging and label.
  • Traceability: Maintenance of lot-level information that helps in identifying the affected product easily.
  • Risk-based verification: Performing document checks, label checks, process and test verification depending upon the risk involved.
  • Recall readiness: Maintain procedures for rapid identification, withdrawal and communication when a food safety issue is identified.

These controls can help manufacturers identify product or labelling discrepancies before distribution and strengthen overall food safety management.

Conclusion

Whole Foods minestrone soup recall was issued after an in-store discovery found that one cup contained the wrong ingredients along with shrimp. Lot code 1762181 and Use-by Date 05/27/26 were found on the affected 24-ounce cups. There were no reports of illness at the time of the FDA announcement, and there were no other soups and use-by dates involved.

Food Research Lab supports food manufacturers with assistance in allergen analysis, verification, quality control, traceability, regulatory compliance and readiness for recall for developing compliant food products.

References

  1. S. Food and Drug Administration. (2026, May 21). Kettle Cuisine issues allergy alert for undeclared shrimp in Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kettle-cuisine-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-shrimp-whole-foods-market-kitchen-minestrone-soup
  2. Cambridge Public Health Department. (2026, May 21). Recall of Whole Foods Market Minestrone Soup. https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/recall-of-whole-foods-market-minestrone-soup/
  3. USA TODAY. (2026, May 22). Whole Foods soup recalled due to undeclared shrimp. https://www.usatoday.com/story/grocery/stores/2026/05/22/whole-foods-soup-recalled/90211900007/
  4. Menk, L. (2026, May 22). The FDA announces recall on soup sold at Whole Foods—Here’s what to know. EatingWell. https://www.eatingwell.com/fda-recall-whole-foods-soup-11982398