FDA upgrades Utz potato chip recall to Class I over potential salmonella risk

The Food and Drug Administration has elevated its recall of Utz potato chips to its highest level over concerns of potential salmonella contamination, which can cause foodborne illness. The FDA classified the recall of some of the company’s Dirty and Zapp’s brand chips as Class 1, its highest level, according to Friday’s weekly enforcement report. The report does not explain why the recall warranted its most serious classification.

The Class 1 designation is used for “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to the FDA. 
 

Recall linked to seasoning ingredient

In May, Utz voluntarily recalled the potato chip brands because of the risk of salmonella contamination with the dry milk powder used to make seasoning. The powder, sourced from California Dairies and supplied by a third party, tested negative for salmonella before the company used it in the chips.

In a news release on May 5, Utz said that it had not detected salmonella in any of its products and that there had been no reports of illness. It said it issued the recall out of "an abundance of caution."In May, no illnesses were reported in connection with the recalled chips.
 

Products included in the recall

Three flavors of Zapp’s chips and three flavors of Dirty chips, totaling over 650,000 bags, are affected by the recall update Friday.

They include:

• 1.5-ounce Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips with UPC code 83791272917 and best-by dates and batch codes of Aug. 3 (26030070101), Aug. 10 (26036070102), Aug. 17 (26043070101) and Aug. 24 (26052070103).
• 2.5-ounce Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips with UPC code 83791272924 and best-by dates and batch codes of Aug. 3 (26029070104), Aug. 17 (26044070104; 26045070104) and Aug. 31 (26058070104).
• 8-ounce Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips with UPC code 83791272931 and best-by and batch codes of July 27 (26024070105; 26024070104), Aug. 3 (26029070104; 26030070104), Aug. 10 (26037070105; 26038070105), Aug. 17 (26044070105; 26045070105).
• 1.5-ounce Zapp’s Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (60 ct) with UPC code 83791010144 and best-by and batch codes of Aug. 3 (26030070101; 26031070101) and Aug. 10 (26036070102; 26037070102).
• 2.5-ounce Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chips with UPC code 83791192208, best-by date of Aug. 31 and batch code 26058070104.
• 8-ounce Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chips with UPC code 83791192246, best-by date of Aug. 31 and batch code 26058070104 or 26059070104.
• 2-ounce Dirty Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips with UPC code 83791520148 and best-by and batch codes of Aug. 3 (26030070104; 26031070104; 26031070101), Aug. 10 (26038070102; 26038070103).
• 2-ounce Dirty Brand Maui Onion Potato Chips with UPC code 83791520162, best-by date of Aug. 8 and batch code 26052070103.
• 2-ounce Dirty Brand Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips with UPC code 83791520094, best-by date of Aug. 31 and batch code 26059070104.

Consumer guidance

If you purchased any of the products included in this recall, you should not eat them and throw them out. Consumers who have concerns or would like refunds should contact Utz online or call 1-877-423-0149. 
 

Salmonella symptoms

Symptoms of salmonella infection, known as salmonellosis, can include:

• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Headache
• Blood in the stool

The symptoms of a salmonella infection generally resolve on their own, but an infection can sometimes cause dehydration serious enough to require hospitalization. If the infection moves beyond the intestinal tract, it can cause life-threatening issues.