[GreatLimbo]

I've had an issue once before in the past with a food item and they immediately processed a full refund with almost no questions asked.

What method/excuse did you provide then that ultimately led to a refund? The "exact same" didn't work on this occasion?

they want me to ship a cheap food item back to them before they can even begin to process a replacement

If you've told them It made you very sick, threw the Item out (to safeguard other family members), then you cannot return what you don't have. Alternatively, you consumed It and felt extremely sick thereafter. I'm sure they will not ask you to regurgitate It and send It back.
There's so many methods, I wouldn't know where to begin.

When a negative response Is received, request for the matter to be escalated to a senior level.

Apologies, I try to be as vague as possible for a reason but I can elaborate a little bit.

Just to clarify, I wasn't trying to SE I was just trying to get a refund like I had before and was just baffled by the horrible customer service of multiple reps, hence this thread.

The first time the item was opened (from damage) and I was refunded immediately and not asked to return it with no further questions. This time is extremely similar.. the seal was broken, so it was basically open and was asked multiple times "what my issue is?" "What's the problem?" Basically grilling me over nothing.

The situations are practically identical with the exception of the item itself. Similar price, similar problem.