Salmonella Fears Trigger Top-Level Chip Recall
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has elevated a voluntary recall of several potato chip products to its highest risk classification, Class I, after concerns that a seasoning ingredient may be contaminated with Salmonella, a potentially dangerous bacterium.
The recall was originally announced in May by Utz Quality Foods, LLC after the company discovered that a seasoning blend containing dry milk powder could have been contaminated. The dry milk powder was sourced from California Dairies, Inc. and supplied through a third-party vendor.
Although the seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella before being used in production, Utz said it initiated the recall as a precautionary measure. The FDA has now classified the recall as Class I, indicating there is a reasonable probability that consuming the affected products could result in serious health consequences or, in rare cases, death.
More than 684,000 bags of potato chips are included in the recall. The affected products include select sizes of Zapp’s Bayou Blackened Ranch Kettle Chips, Zapp’s Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips, Zapp’s Big Cheezy Potato Chips, Dirty Brand Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips, Dirty Maui Onion Potato Chips, and Dirty Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips.
The recalled products were distributed to retail stores across nearly three dozen U.S. states.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States each year. Symptoms typically develop between 8 and 72 hours after exposure and may include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. While most people recover without medical treatment, severe illness can occur, particularly in infants, young children, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
At the time of the latest update, no illnesses had been linked to the recalled products.
Consumers who have purchased any of the affected potato chips are advised not to eat them. Instead, they should discard the products or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
