FDA Raises Utz Potato Chip Recall to Highest Risk Level
The Food and Drug Administration has elevated a recall of certain Utz Quality Foods potato chips to a Class I designation, its most serious category, after concerns that a seasoning ingredient may have been contaminated with salmonella.
The recall, first announced voluntarily by Utz in May, applies to selected Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips sold nationwide. Affected products include Zapp’s Bayou Blackened Ranch, Salt and Vinegar, and Big Cheezy varieties, as well as Dirty brand Salt and Vinegar, Maui Onion, and Sour Cream and Onion chips. The recalled items carry “Best By” dates from Aug. 3, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2026. The company says no other Utz products are involved.
According to the FDA, Class I recalls are used when exposure to a product presents a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death. The agency’s action comes as consumers prepare for Fourth of July gatherings, when snack purchases typically increase.
Utz said the seasoning used on the affected chips initially tested negative for salmonella before production. The company later learned from a supplier that the seasoning contained dry milk powder linked to a separate recall involving California Dairies Inc. The ingredient has also been associated with recalls of other snack foods and seasonings.
Utz said it began the recall as a precaution and, at the time of its announcement, had received no reports of illnesses connected to the chips. The company said it is coordinating with the FDA.
Consumers who bought the recalled products are advised not to eat them and to discard them. Salmonella infection can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Most healthy people recover without treatment, but illness can be more severe for young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Officials recommend medical care for severe or persistent symptoms promptly.