The US Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a recall of popular potato chip brands Zapp's and Dirty to its most serious level, citing the risk of salmonella contamination. The recall, initially issued voluntarily by manufacturer Utz in May, affects an estimated 650,000 bags of chips with best-by dates ranging from 27 July to 31 August.
The contamination is linked to dry milk powder sourced from a third party, used to make a seasoning ingredient. The FDA's Class 1 designation, its highest, indicates a reasonable probability that exposure could cause serious adverse health consequences or death. However, Utz stated in a 5 May press release that no salmonella had been found in any of its products and no illnesses had been reported, adding that the recall was issued from an abundance of caution following the supplier's recall.
Affected products include Zapp's Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips in 1.5oz, 2.5oz, and 8oz sizes; Zapp's Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (1.5oz); Zapp's Big Cheezy Potato Chips (2.5oz and 8oz); Dirty Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (2oz); Dirty Brand Maui Onion Potato Chips (2oz); and Dirty Brand Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips (2oz). Utz urged consumers not to eat the products and to discard them, offering refunds.
Vineet Dubey, a California-based attorney specialising in consumer protection law, said that when a recall involves a health-related issue, consumers deserve full transparency and accountability. He noted that affected individuals could seek compensation for medical expenses or financial losses. Salmonella, a common cause of foodborne illness worldwide, typically causes symptoms such as fever, stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting.
