Utz Quality Foods LLC, a subsidiary of Utz Brands, is voluntarily recalling certain varieties of Zapp's and Dirty brand potato chips sold at retail stores across the U.S. over concerns about potential salmonella contamination.
The recall covers a limited number of product varieties whose seasoning contained dry milk powder from California Dairies, a third-party supplier
Credit: FDA
Utz Quality Foods LLC, a subsidiary of Utz Brands, is voluntarily recalling certain varieties of Zapp's and Dirty brand potato chips sold at retail stores across the U.S. over concerns about potential salmonella contamination.
A third-party supplier notified Utz that a seasoning ingredient — dry milk powder originating from California Dairies, Inc. — may be contaminated with salmonella, prompting the recall. Pre-use testing of the implicated seasoning batches came back negative for salmonella, though Utz opted to move forward with the recall as a precautionary measure. No illnesses connected to the recalled products have been reported.
The recall covers eight distinct product varieties across the two brands, including Zapp's Bayou Blackened Ranch, Zapp's Salt and Vinegar, Zapp's Big Cheezy, Dirty Salt and Vinegar, Dirty Maui Onion, and Dirty Sour Cream and Onion chips. Products are available in sizes ranging from 1.5 oz to 8 oz. Specific batch codes and best-by dates for each affected item are listed in the FDA recall notice.
The recall is the second linked to milk powder from California Dairies in recent weeks, according to Fast Company. Ghirardelli Chocolate Company recalled a range of powdered beverage mixes the previous week over the same contamination concern. The contamination pathway was similar in each case, with the milk powder passing through an outside manufacturer before ending up in the finished products; neither company had received illness reports when their respective notices were issued.
The FDA warns that young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems face the greatest danger from salmonella, which can prove fatal in severe cases. People who contract the illness typically develop symptoms such as stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Though uncommon, salmonella infections can escalate into life-threatening complications, among them endocarditis, arterial infections, and septic arthritis.
Anyone who purchased any of the affected varieties is urged to throw them away rather than consume them. For refund requests, Utz has made its customer care line available at 1-877-423-0149; the line is open on business days between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET. Store operators are being asked to audit their stock and pull any matching items from shelves.
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