Recall of popular potato chips classified under FDA’s highest risk level

The recall, which involved hundreds of thousands of bags of popular Zapp’s and Dirty brands of potato chips, was classified under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s most serious alert level due to the risk of salmonella contamination.

The FDA classified the voluntary recall as follows: The class I rememberA Class 1 recall, the highest risk category, issued July 1, means there is a “reasonable possibility” that consuming or being exposed to the affected product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

chips first remembered The situation was revealed in May by Utz Quality Foods, a subsidiary of Utz Brands, after the company learned that seasoning made with dry milk powder supplied by a third-party manufacturer could potentially contain salmonella. Although the affected spice batches tested negative before use, Utz said the recall was issued out of an abundance of caution.

The company said it had not received any reports of illness linked to the recalled products.

Consumers who have the affected chips should not eat them and should throw them away. Retailers were also instructed to remove the products from store shelves.

Here’s what you need to do Know about recalls More than 650,000 bags of chips.

Which potato chips are being recalled?

FDA’s Class I recall includes the following products:

• 1.5 ounces Zapp’s Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (164,640 bags)

• 2.5 oz, 8 oz Zapp’s Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (179,837 bags)

• 2 ounces Dirty Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (300,595 bags)

• 1.5 oz Zapp Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (60 pieces)

• 2 ounces Dirty Maui Onion Potato Chips (5,000 bags)

• 8 ounces, 2.5 ounces Zapp’s Big Cheezy Potato Chips (14,976 bags)

• 2 ounces Dirty Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips (19,200 bags)

The recalled products were sold at retailers nationwide. Consumers should check package expiration dates and batch codes listed in the FDA recall notice to determine whether their chips are affected.

Why were the chips recalled?

According to Utz, the recalled products included seasonings made with dried milk powder from California Dairies that may have been contaminated with salmonella. The recall is part of a larger investigation that has led to the recall of other food products containing the same ingredient.

What should you do if you have recalled potato chips?

Do not consume the recalled potato chips. For questions or refunds, contact Utz Customer Service at 1-877-423-0149, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common foodborne illnesses.

Common symptoms, which usually occur six hours to six days after eating contaminated food, include 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 are at increased risk of severe illness.

In rare cases, salmonella infections can spread to the bloodstream and cause life-threatening complications.

Credit: Greta Cross, USA TODAY

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athomopsonUSAT.

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: FDA recall of popular potato chips classified at highest risk level