High-Risk Chip Recall
Utz Quality Foods Recalls Zapp's and Dirty Chips Due to Highest Salmonella Risk
Anonymous
The FDA has upgraded a voluntary recall of nearly 685,000 bags of Zapp's and Dirty potato chips to a Class I designation — its highest risk level — meaning regulators believe there is a "reasonable probability" that eating the chips could cause serious illness or death. Bismarck Tribune reported the recall covers select flavors made by Utz Quality Foods, triggered by a seasoning ingredient that may have been contaminated with Salmonella.
As of July 2, 2026, approximately 684,885 bags have been flagged for removal from store shelves across 35 states. No illnesses have been reported so far, but Utz says it is acting "out of an abundance of caution."
Contaminated Milk Powder Triggered a Chain of Recalls
The problem started upstream. In April 2026, California Dairies Inc. recalled bulk powdered milk due to potential Salmonella contamination. That milk powder made its way into a seasoning blend used by Utz Quality Foods for several chip flavors. Utz first issued its recall on April 28, 2026, after a third-party seasoning supplier flagged the ingredient, according to Tulsa World.
The contaminated ingredient also affected other food companies. Ghirardelli and Jonco Industries both recalled products containing the same milk powder around the same time. The FDA formally published the Utz recall notice in early May 2026. Then on June 24, after further investigation, the agency upgraded it to Class I status.
Five Chip Varieties Recalled Across 35 States
The recall covers five specific products. The biggest share is Zapp's Bayou Blackened Ranch, with roughly 344,477 bags pulled. Dirty Salt and Vinegar accounts for about 300,595 bags. Smaller quantities include Dirty Sour Cream and Onion (19,200 bags), Zapp's Big Cheezy (14,976 bags), and Dirty Maui Onion (5,000 bags), according to Elko Daily Free Press.
The affected bags have best-by dates running from July 27, 2026, through August 31, 2026. Products were distributed in 35 states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Consumers can call Utz Customer Care at 1-877-423-0149 for refund information.
Class I Label Means FDA Sees a Real Health Threat
A Class I recall is the FDA's most serious category. It applies when a product will "cause serious adverse health consequences or death," per the agency's own definition. The upgrade came roughly two months after the initial recall — a gap that drew criticism on social media, where consumers questioned why it took so long to call the risk "serious," according to Waco Tribune-Herald.
Food safety experts note that Salmonella in dry ingredients like milk powder is tricky. The bacteria can survive in low-moisture environments for a long time. "You can have 'hot spots' of contamination while most of the batch tests clean," analysts covering the FDA enforcement report have noted. Symptoms of Salmonella include fever, bloody diarrhea, and stomach cramps — and can be life-threatening for the elderly and young children.
Utz Faces Costs and Legal Risk as Investigation Continues
The recall carries real financial weight. Pulling nearly 700,000 bags from shelves means significant costs in logistics, disposal, and possible lawsuits. Utz Brands Inc. had recently projected organic net sales growth of about 3% for fiscal 2025. A Class I recall complicates that outlook, according to Press of Atlantic City.
More recalls may follow. The USDA has issued a public health alert for meat and poultry products that used the same dairy ingredients, suggesting the contamination could ripple further into frozen foods and seasonings. If any illnesses are eventually linked to the specific California Dairies milk powder strain, class-action lawsuits become more likely.
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