FDA issues highest-risk recall for popular potato chips

FDA Class – The FDA has classified a voluntary recall of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips as a Class I action—the agency’s highest-risk category—after the chips were linked to seasoning that may contain salmonella.

A pantry staple is suddenly off limits. On July 1, the FDA classified a recall of hundreds of thousands of bags of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips as a Class I action, its most serious warning level, tied to the risk of salmonella contamination.

The recall is voluntary and was triggered after Utz Quality Foods—an Utz Brands subsidiary—linked the affected chips to seasoning made with dry milk powder that could be contaminated. While the company says it has received no reports of illnesses. the FDA’s Class I classification means there is a “reasonable probability” that consuming or being exposed to the product could cause serious adverse health consequences or even death.

Utz first initiated the recall in May. after learning that a seasoning component made with dry milk powder supplied by a third-party manufacturer could potentially contain salmonella. Utz said the specific seasoning batches tested negative before being used. but it still issued the recall “out of an abundance of caution.”.

The FDA’s notice now puts the responsibility directly on consumers to check their bags and act quickly: don’t eat the chips, and remove them from circulation by throwing them away.

The FDA’s Class I recall covers more than 650,000 bags of specific Zapp’s and Dirty products sold at retailers nationwide. The affected items include:

1.5-ounce Zapp’s Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (164. 640 bags)
2.5-ounce Zapp’s Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (179. 837 bags)
2-ounce Dirty Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (300. 595 bags)
1.5-ounce Zapp’s Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (60-count)
2-ounce Dirty Maui Onion Potato Chips (5. 000 bags)
8-ounce and 2.5-ounce Zapp’s Big Cheezy Potato Chips (14. 976 bags)
2-ounce Dirty Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips (19. 200 bags).

Consumers are advised to check the package’s best-by dates and batch codes included in the FDA recall notice to determine whether their specific bags are affected.

The reason for the recall traces back to seasoning. Utz said the recalled products contain seasoning made with dry milk powder sourced from California Dairies. which may have been contaminated with salmonella. The recall is also connected to a broader investigation that has led to recalls of other food products containing the same ingredient.

Under the recall guidance, people who have the affected chips should not consume them. Retailers have also been told to remove the products from store shelves.

If questions come up, Utz Customer Care is available for refunds and inquiries at 1-877-423-0149, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common foodborne illnesses. Symptoms typically appear six hours to six days after eating contaminated food, including diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Most people recover within four to seven days. but young children. older adults. and people with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of severe illness. In rare cases, infections can spread to the bloodstream and lead to life-threatening complications.

For now, the company says there have been no reports of illnesses linked to the recalled products—yet the FDA’s top-tier classification keeps the stakes clear. If a bag matches the listed products, batch codes, and best-by dates, the message from regulators is direct: don’t take chances.

FDA recall Class I recall Zapp's potato chips Dirty potato chips Utz Quality Foods salmonella foodborne illness consumer alert