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

A recall involving hundreds of thousands of bags of popular Zapp's and Dirty brand potato chips has been classified under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's most serious warning level due to the risk of salmonella contamination.

The FDA classified the voluntary recall as a Class I recall, its highest risk category, on July 1. According to the agency, a Class I recall means there is "a reasonable probability" that consuming or being exposed to the affected product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

The chips were first recalled in May by Utz Quality Foods, a subsidiary of Utz Brands, after the company learned that a seasoning made with dry milk powder supplied by a third-party manufacturer could potentially contain salmonella. Though the affected seasoning batches tested negative before being used, Utz said it issued the recall out of an abundance of caution.

The company has said it has received no reports of illnesses linked to the recalled products.

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

Here's what to know about the recall of more than 650,000 bags of chips.

Which potato chips are recalled?

The FDA's Class I recall includes the following products:

• 1.5-ounce Zapp's Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (164,640 bags)
• 2.5-ounce, 8-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, 2.5-ounce Zapp's Big Cheezy Potato Chips (14,976 bags)
• 2-ounce Dirty Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips (19,200 bags)

The recalled products were sold at retailers nationwide. Consumers should check the package's best-by 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 contain seasoning made with dry milk powder sourced from California Dairies, which may have been contaminated with salmonella. The recall is part of a broader investigation that has also led to recalls of other food products containing the same ingredient.

What to do if you own the recalled potato chips

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

What is salmonella?

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

Common symptoms, which typically appear 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 face a greater risk of severe illness.

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

Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Recall of popular potato chips classified under FDA's highest risk level

Reporting by Anthony Thompson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 6:49 PM.