The FDA issued a recall notice on December 15, 2025: four types of decorated pound cakes sold at Kroger Mid-Atlantic and Ukrop’s Market Hall stores in Virginia and West Virginia contained a soy-based cake-release agent that was not listed on product labels.
Violating FDA allergen labeling requirements, the recall prompted customers across the region to check their freezers for the affected products.
The Cause: Soy in Cake-Release Agent
The source of the recall stems from a “cake-release agent” containing soy, used to prevent cakes from sticking to pans. Unfortunately, this ingredient was not listed on the product labels, violating FDA allergen labeling rules.
The cakes, produced by Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, included four varieties: 8″ Pound Cake with Buttercream Icing/Pink Roses (UPC 72252591452), 8″ Pound Cake with Buttercream Icing/Red Roses (UPC 72252591456), 6″ Pound Cake with Buttercream Icing/Red Roses (UPC 72252591820), and 6″ Pound Cake with Buttercream Icing/Confetti (UPC 72252591849), all with a best-by date of December 15, 2025.
Consumers Urged to Check Freezers
In response to the recall, consumers who purchased cakes from Kroger Mid-Atlantic and Ukrop’s Market Hall stores are being urged to check their freezers and return any affected products to their retailers for a full refund.
The FDA notes that soy allergies can cause mild symptoms such as hives and itching, as well as severe anaphylaxis. No illnesses have been reported to date.
Retailers Manage Recall Operations
Kroger Mid-Atlantic operates 28 locations in Virginia and West Virginia, and Ukrop’s Market Hall is located in Richmond, Virginia.
Staff at the affected stores are working to pull the four specific SKUs off the shelves and notify customers about the recall. This adds an unexpected workload during the busy holiday season, with stores incurring additional labor costs for recall management.
The Impact on Consumer Purchasing Behavior
As soy-allergic families and cautious shoppers become aware of the recall, many are reconsidering their dessert choices.
This may include pre-packaged goods with verified allergen labeling or home-baked alternatives, highlighting how a single recall can influence purchasing patterns during festive seasons when dessert choices are a key part of celebrations.
The Global Allergen Labeling Debate
Although this recall is localized to the Mid-Atlantic region, it reflects broader international conversations on stricter allergen labeling standards. Many countries are aligning food safety requirements, especially for major allergens like soy.
This incident underscores the importance of harmonized allergen labeling rules to prevent disruptions in domestic and international food trade.
Behind the Scenes: Bakery Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
This incident exposes vulnerabilities in bakery supply chains, particularly around ingredient documentation and labeling practices. An undeclared soy-containing agent can lead to significant recall costs and regulatory scrutiny.
Bakery manufacturers must assess their supply chain practices, retrain staff, and implement stricter quality control measures to prevent future occurrences.
FDA Oversight on Allergen Compliance
The FDA continues to focus on enforcing allergen labeling rules to protect consumers.
This recall may prompt increased inspections and stricter enforcement of allergen documentation and preventive controls, as soy allergies can cause severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, posing a significant risk to sensitive consumers.
The Costs of Allergen Recalls
Allergen-related recalls result in substantial costs across the food sector, including recall management, increased insurance premiums, more frequent audits, and unsold inventory that must be discarded.
These financial burdens can affect company operations and profitability.
A Reminder for Allergic Consumers
For those with soy allergies, incidents like this serve as a reminder to verify product labels and check retailer recall alerts, especially during the holiday season when celebration cakes and desserts are common.
Allergic individuals may prioritize products with simpler ingredient lists or from brands with established allergen-control reputations.
Consumer Awareness of Food Safety
This recall heightens consumer awareness of food safety practices, particularly regarding allergen labeling on celebratory desserts.
As a result, some consumers may approach store-bought baked goods with greater attention to ingredient transparency and allergen disclosures.
International Attention to U.S. Food Safety Standards
International markets monitor U.S. allergen recalls to assess the reliability of U.S. food safety standards.
Swift corrective action from the FDA and companies like Ukrop’s can reassure foreign buyers, while compliance lapses may raise concerns about U.S. food labeling accuracy in global markets.
Opportunities for Allergen-Conscious Brands
Food brands that prioritize allergen-free product lines and transparent labeling may benefit from increased consumer confidence.
As families with soy allergies seek reliable options, companies that invest in allergen-free products or third-party allergen certifications may gain market recognition, while those associated with labeling errors could face reputational challenges.
What Consumers and Stakeholders Should Do Now
Consumers affected by the recall are advised to check UPC codes (72252591452, 72252591456, 72252591820, 72252591849), verify the best-by date of 12/15/2025, and return affected products to the retailer where they were purchased for a refund.
Staying informed through retailer recall alerts supports accountability and product traceability efforts.
What This Recall Signals About Food Safety Going Forward
This cake recall reinforces the critical importance of accurate allergen labeling and supply chain transparency.
As the food industry faces heightened scrutiny, manufacturers are expected to implement stronger quality control measures and more transparent labeling practices to ensure consumer safety and maintain regulatory compliance.
Sources:
“Cakes sold at Kroger recalled. See affected items.” USA Today, 16 Dec 2025.
“FDA issues recall on cakes sold at Kroger.” The Independent, 15 Dec 2025.
“Pound cakes recalled because of undeclared soy.” Food Safety News, 15 Dec 2025.