The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded an ongoing nationwide recall of nearly 685,000 bags of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips to a Class I recall, the agency’s most severe risk category.
Initiated voluntarily in May by Utz Quality Foods, the recall centers on potential Salmonella contamination. If you have these popular chips in your pantry, health officials urge you to check the packaging immediately.
Which Chips Are Recalled?
The recall affects limited varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips sold nationwide. The affected products include:
Zapp’s Brand:
- 1.5 oz Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (164,640 bags)
- 2.5 oz and 8 oz Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (179,837 bags)
- 1.5 oz Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (60-count)
- 1.5 oz, 2.5 oz, and 8 oz Big Cheezy Potato Chip (14,976 bags for 2.5/8oz)
Dirty Brand:
- 1.5 oz and 2 oz Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (300,595 bags of the 2oz)
- 2 oz Maui Onion Potato Chip (5,000 bags)
- 2 oz Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips (19,200 bags)
(Note: Consumers must check the FDA recall notice for specific best-by dates and batch codes to confirm if their exact bags are affected.)
Why Were the Chips Recalled? The California Dairies Connection
The root cause of the recall traces back to the chips’ seasoning. According to Utz, the seasoning contains dry milk powder sourced from California Dairies through a third-party supplier. California Dairies recently issued a recall for its milk powder due to potential Salmonella contamination—a ripple effect that also caused chocolate-maker Ghirardelli to recall some of its powdered frappe and hot cocoa mixes.
Utz stated that the seasoning batches actually tested negative for Salmonella before being used in production. However, the company issued the recall out of an abundance of caution. To date, no illnesses related to the chips have been reported.
What Does an FDA “Class I” Recall Mean?
On July 1, the FDA officially classified this as a Class I recall.
The FDA uses a three-tier system to categorize recalls based on public health risk. A Class I designation is reserved for the highest-risk situations. According to the FDA, it indicates a “reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death”.
Salmonella Symptoms and Health Risks
Salmonella is an organism that causes a bacterial infection known as salmonellosis. While no infections linked to the recalled chips have occurred, health officials initiated the recall to prevent potential cases.
Symptoms and Incubation: If contaminated food is consumed, symptoms typically develop between six hours and six days later. Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Diarrhea (which may be bloody)
- Stomach cramps and abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
Most healthy individuals recover without targeted medical treatment within four to seven days.
High-Risk Groups: The infection poses a much higher risk to individuals with weakened immune systems, frail or elderly people, young children, and pregnant women. In rare instances, Salmonella can enter the bloodstream, leading to severe and potentially fatal illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.
What to Do If You Purchased Recalled Chips
If you own any of the recalled Zapp’s or Dirty potato chips, do not consume them.
- Discard or Return: Throw the affected chips away immediately, or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
- Contact Customer Care: For questions or refunds, you can contact Utz Customer Care at 1-877-423-0149 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
- Monitor Your Health: If you have already eaten the chips and experience symptoms of salmonellosis—especially if you are in a high-risk group—seek medical care immediately.