Urgent Nationwide Recall: Popular Potato Chips Pulled Over Contamination Risk—Check Your Pantry Now

Consumers across the United States are being urged to check their snack shelves after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) escalated a nationwide potato chip recall to a Class I—the agency’s highest-risk designation—because of potential Salmonella contamination linked to a dry-milk seasoning ingredient. WHAT BRANDS ARE AFFECTED Utz Quality Foods, the parent company of Zapp’s and Dirty brand chips, is voluntarily recalling roughly 684,000 bags produced between late April and early May 2026. The recall covers six popular flavors: • Zapp’s Bayou Blackened Ranch (1.5 oz, 2.5 oz, 8 oz) • Zapp’s Salt & Vinegar (1.5 oz multipack) • Zapp’s Big Cheezy (2.5 oz, 8 oz) • Dirty Salt & Vinegar (2 oz) • Dirty Maui Onion (2 oz) • Dirty Sour Cream & Onion (2 oz) BAGS TO LOOK FOR Consumers should immediately discard or return any chips with “Best By” dates from July 27 through August 31 2026 and batch codes beginning with 2602, 2603, 2604, 2605 or 2606. A full list of UPCs and codes is available in the FDA recall notice. WHY THE CHIPS WERE PULLED A third-party supplier alerted Utz that powdered milk from California Dairies Inc. used in certain seasoning blends may be contaminated with Salmonella. Although the seasoning itself later tested negative, Utz expanded the recall “out of an abundance of caution” once FDA investigators linked the ingredient to a broader dairy recall. HEALTH RISKS Salmonella can cause fever, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and may lead to severe illness in young children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported so far, but the FDA warns there is a “reasonable probability” of serious outcomes if contaminated chips are eaten. WHAT TO DO IF YOU BOUGHT THEM 1. Do not consume the chips. 2. Throw them away in a sealed bag or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. 3. Contact Utz Customer Care at 1-877-423-0149 (9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday) for reimbursement questions. 4. If you experience symptoms of Salmonella infection after eating potato chips, contact your healthcare provider. KEEPING YOUR PANTRY SAFE • Always check “Best By” dates and batch codes during recall alerts. • Register for email or text updates from the FDA’s Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts page to catch future notices quickly. • Store snacks in a visible spot so older bags are eaten first, reducing the chance of keeping recalled products. BOTTOM LINE With summer gatherings in full swing, many households stock up on grab-and-go snacks. Before your next picnic or road trip, scan your cupboards for the recalled Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips to keep family and friends safe—and stay tuned for further FDA updates as the investigation continues.