The US Food and Drug Administration has elevated a recall of popular potato chip brands to its most serious classification, warning that the products pose a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death due to salmonella risk.
The move, announced in the FDA’s weekly enforcement report published on Friday, upgrades a voluntary recall issued in May by manufacturer Utz Quality Foods to a Class I designation — the agency’s highest threat level. The recall covers an estimated 650,000 to more than 680,000 bags of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips with best-by dates ranging from 27 July to 31 August.
A Class I recall, according to the FDA, applies to “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.” This is the most severe of three categories used by the agency: Class II covers products that may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, while Class III involves violations unlikely to cause adverse health reactions. The FDA’s report did not elaborate on why the Utz recall specifically warranted the top-tier label, nor did it detail the precise risk to consumers beyond the general criteria.
The recall was initially voluntary. Utz, headquartered in Hanover, Pennsylvania, said in a 5 May press release that it had not found salmonella in any of its products and had received no reports of illness. The company said it issued the recall “from an abundance of caution” after its ingredient supplier recalled a dry milk powder used to make a seasoning for the chips. The dry milk powder was supplied by California Dairies, Inc. and used by a third-party seasoning manufacturer. Utz stated that the affected seasoning batches had tested negative for salmonella prior to use. “To date, there have been no complaints of illness reported to Utz in connection with the recalled products. Utz is recalling these products based on the ingredient supplier’s recall,” the company said at the time.
Despite the lack of confirmed contamination or illness, the FDA’s upgrade to Class I signals the agency’s assessment that the potential consequences of exposure — even if unconfirmed — could be severe. The classification puts consumers on notice that the products carry a risk that regulators consider life-threatening.
The affected products include nine specific varieties and sizes: Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips in 1.5oz, 2.5oz, and 8oz bags; Zapp’s Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips in 1.5oz single bags and a 60-count multipack; Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chips in 2.5oz and 8oz bags; Dirty Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips in 2oz bags; Dirty Brand Maui Onion Potato Chips in 2oz bags; and Dirty Brand Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips in 2oz bags. The chips were distributed nationwide in the United States, with specific availability reported in 35 states including New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Utz has urged consumers not to eat any of the recalled products and to discard them. The company has set up a customer care line — 1-877-423-0149, available Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm Eastern Time — for questions and refunds. Retailers have been instructed to remove the affected items from shelves. Utz’s website, however, has not been updated beyond the initial recall announcement, and the company has not issued further public statements since the FDA upgrade.
The recall is part of a broader wave of food safety actions linked to the same California Dairies milk powder. Other affected products include Ghirardelli Chocolate Company beverage mixes, Pork King Good seasonings and pork rinds, and frozen pizzas from brands such as Walmart’s Great Value and Aldi’s Mama Cozzi’s.
What is Salmonella and Why It Matters
Salmonella is a group of bacteria responsible for foodborne illnesses worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, it accounts for about one in four diarrhoeal diseases globally. Symptoms of infection typically include sudden fever, stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, and occasional vomiting. Infections can become serious and sometimes fatal, particularly for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The Class I designation reflects the FDA’s view that the risk posed by salmonella in these products meets the threshold for potentially causing severe adverse health outcomes or death.
Vineet Dubey, a California-based attorney specialising in environmental and consumer protection law, said customers could seek compensation for medical expenses and additional damages if a recalled product caused illness, injury, or financial loss. “When things go south with a product, consumers rightfully want answers to make sure that the company is taking the necessary steps to do the right thing,” he said. “When a recall involves a toxic chemical linked to cancer, or any health-related issue, that trust is on the line, and consumers deserve to know all the facts surrounding how the exposure to the substance happened and what measures are being taken to prevent it from happening again. Being transparent and taking full responsibility goes a long way when trust is on the line.”
The FDA upgrade was issued on 24 June 2026, days before the Fourth of July holiday — a peak period for outdoor gatherings and snack consumption. Utz Brands, Inc., the parent company founded in 1921 and publicly listed since August 2020 through a merger with Collier Creek Holdings, has so far not commented on the classification change. The recall remains active, and consumers who may have purchased the affected chips are advised to check their pantries and dispose of any products matching the listed descriptions.
