Fresh & Ready Foods LLC has issued a voluntary recall of a limited number of Sprig & Sprout Spicy Breakfast Burrito and Fresh & Ready Spicy Breakfast Burrito products after discovering they may contain undeclared soy and sausage despite being labeled as vegetarian. The recall was initiated to protect consumers with soy allergies as well as individuals who avoid meat products.
According to the company, the issue affects only a specific batch of breakfast burritos manufactured at its Charlotte, North Carolina, production facility between July 9 and July 12, 2026. The affected products carry a Fresh Thru date of July 20, 2026. Fresh & Ready Foods emphasized that the recall is limited to these products only and that no other products produced at the Charlotte facility or any of the company’s other manufacturing locations are involved.
Recall Triggered by Presence of Undeclared Soy
The recall centers on the unintended presence of soy, one of the nine major food allergens recognized by U.S. food safety regulations. Soy can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, ranging from mild symptoms such as hives and swelling to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
The company explained that the soy was introduced because sausage was mistakenly included in breakfast burritos that were intended to be vegetarian. Since the products were labeled as vegetarian, the ingredient statement did not declare soy, creating a potential health risk for consumers with soy allergies or sensitivities.
Individuals who are allergic or highly sensitive to soy are advised not to consume the affected products under any circumstances. Exposure to undeclared allergens can result in serious medical emergencies requiring immediate treatment.
Vegetarian Consumers Also Affected
Beyond the allergen concern, the recall is significant because the affected breakfast burritos were marketed as vegetarian products. Consumers who avoid meat for dietary, ethical, religious, or personal reasons may have unknowingly purchased and consumed products containing sausage.
Fresh & Ready Foods acknowledged that the recall was prompted after sausage was discovered inside products labeled as vegetarian. The company noted that consumers who do not eat meat should also avoid consuming the recalled burritos and should dispose of them immediately if they still have them.
The incident highlights the importance of accurate product labeling, particularly for foods marketed toward consumers with specific dietary preferences or restrictions.
Products Included in the Recall
The voluntary recall applies only to the following breakfast burritos:
- Sprig & Sprout Spicy Breakfast Burrito
- Fresh & Ready Spicy Breakfast Burrito
The recalled products share the following characteristics:
- Manufactured between July 9 and July 12, 2026
- Produced at the Charlotte, North Carolina manufacturing facility
- Carry a Fresh Thru date of July 20, 2026
Fresh & Ready Foods confirmed that products produced outside this manufacturing period are not affected.
Likewise, products manufactured at any of the company’s other production facilities remain safe for consumption and are not included in the recall.
Distribution Across Eight States
The recalled breakfast burritos were distributed through grab-and-go retail markets and vending machines across eight southeastern U.S. states.
Affected distribution areas include:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Consumers who purchased breakfast burritos from self-service coolers, workplace markets, vending locations, convenience outlets, or similar grab-and-go retail settings in these states should carefully check whether they possess one of the recalled products.
No Reported Illnesses
As of the announcement of the recall, Fresh & Ready Foods stated that no illnesses, allergic reactions, or injuries have been reported in connection with the affected products.
Although no adverse health incidents have been confirmed, the company decided to voluntarily recall the products as a precautionary measure to eliminate any potential risk to consumers.
Food manufacturers frequently issue recalls before illnesses occur whenever undeclared allergens or labeling errors are identified, helping prevent possible health emergencies.
Customer Complaints Prompted Investigation
The recall began after Fresh & Ready Foods received two customer complaints reporting that sausage had been found inside products marketed as vegetarian breakfast burritos.
Following the complaints, the company conducted an internal investigation and confirmed that some vegetarian-labeled burritos had inadvertently been prepared with sausage.
Because the sausage contained soy ingredients, the final products also contained soy that was not declared on the packaging.
This combination of ingredient substitution and labeling error resulted in a product that posed risks both for consumers with soy allergies and for individuals expecting a vegetarian meal.
Importance of Accurate Allergen Labeling
Food allergen labeling plays a critical role in consumer safety. Under U.S. food labeling regulations, manufacturers are required to clearly identify major allergens present in packaged foods.
Undeclared allergens remain one of the leading causes of food recalls each year. Even trace amounts of allergens such as soy, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, shellfish, or sesame can trigger serious reactions in susceptible individuals.
For consumers managing food allergies, accurate ingredient labeling provides essential information needed to avoid potentially dangerous exposures.
Similarly, accurate labeling is equally important for consumers who rely on vegetarian or other specialty dietary claims when selecting food products.
Consumer Guidance
Fresh & Ready Foods urges anyone who has purchased the recalled breakfast burritos not to consume them.
Consumers should:
- Check whether the product matches the recalled production dates and Fresh Thru date.
- Immediately discard any affected breakfast burritos.
- Avoid consuming the product if they have a soy allergy or sensitivity.
- Dispose of the product if they follow a vegetarian diet or avoid meat products.
- Contact the company if they have questions or wish to receive a refund.
Consumers who have already eaten the product and experience symptoms consistent with an allergic reaction—including swelling, difficulty breathing, hives, dizziness, or other severe symptoms—should seek immediate medical attention.
Refund Information
Fresh & Ready Foods is offering full refunds to consumers who purchased the recalled products.
Customers with questions regarding the recall or refund process may contact the company’s consumer support team via email or telephone during regular business hours.
The customer service line is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Company Response
Fresh & Ready Foods stated that the recall reflects its commitment to consumer safety and product quality. By acting quickly after receiving customer complaints, the company aims to remove the affected products from the marketplace before additional consumers are impacted.
The company also emphasized that the recall is narrowly focused and does not affect other products produced at its Charlotte facility outside the specified manufacturing dates or products made at any other Fresh & Ready Foods production location.
Consumers are encouraged to verify the products they have purchased and follow the company’s disposal and refund instructions if they possess one of the recalled breakfast burritos. While no illnesses have been reported, the voluntary recall serves as an important precaution to protect individuals with soy allergies and to ensure consumers receive products that accurately match their labeling.
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