The FDA is warning that these popular potato chips may be deadly—so don’t serve them at your July 4 BBQ

Fast Company Fast Company —

This weekend, millions of Americans will be celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary around backyard barbecues, serving up all the usual summer fare: burgers, ribs, corn on the cob, and more.

But if that “more” includes potato chips as a side, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t serving certain recalled products from two popular potato chip brands—because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now says they may be deadly.





What’s happened?





The potato chips in question are select varieties from the popular brands Dirty and Zapp’s, both owned by Utz Quality Foods. 





As Fast Company https://www.fastcompany.com/91536874/potato-chip-salmonella-recall-hits-snack-products-nationwide-full-list">previously reported, back in May, Utz voluntarily https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/utz-quality-foods-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-certain-limited-varieties-zapps-and-dirty-potato-chips">recalled select Dirty and Zapp’s potato chip varieties out of an abundance of caution.

The issue with the chips was that their seasoning contained dry milk powder manufactured by the food producer California Dairies, which may have been contaminated with Salmonella.





But now, the FDA has upgraded the recall to its highest threat level, and that news is spurring customers to check again whether they have the chips in their possession.





In its https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/index.cfm">Enforcement Report for the week of July 1, the FDA says that the recalled Dirty and Zapp’s potato chip products now have a https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/postmarket-requirements-devices/recalls-corrections-and-removals-devices">Class I designation.

A Class I designation marks the most severe threat level, in which the agency says “there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”





What Dirty and Zapp’s potato chip products are being recalled?





The potato chips in the original recall are as follows:





Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips






  • 1.5 oz, UPC 83791272917

    • Batchcode 26030070101: Best by August 3, 2026




    • Batchcode 26036070102: Best by August 10, 2026




    • Batchcode 26043070101: Best by August 17, 2026




    • Batchcode 26052070103: Best by August 24, 2026






  • 2.5 oz, UPC 83791272924

    • Batchcode 26029070104: Best by August 3, 2026




    • Batchcode 26044070104: Best by August 17, 2026




    • Batchcode 26045070104: Best by August 17, 2026




    • Batchcode 26058070104: Best by August 31, 2026






  • 8 oz, UPC 83791272931

    • Batchcode 26024070105: Best by July 27, 2026




    • Batchcode 26024070104: Best by July 27, 2026




    • Batchcode 26029070104: Best by August 3, 2026




    • Batchcode 26030070104: Best by August 3, 2026




    • Batchcode 26037070105: Best by August 10, 2026




    • Batchcode 26038070105: Best by August 10, 2026




    • Batchcode 26044070105: Best by August 17, 2026




    • Batchcode 26045070105: Best by August 17, 2026







Dirty Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips






  • 2 oz, UPC 83791520148

    • Batchcode 26030070104: Best by August 3, 2026




    • Batchcode 26031070104: Best by August 3, 2026




    • Batchcode 26031070101: Best by August 3, 2026




    • Batchcode 26038070102: Best by August 10, 2026




    • Batchcode 26038070103: Best by August 10, 2026







Zapp’s Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (60 count)






  • 1.5 oz, UPC 83791010144

    • Batchcode 26030070101: Best by August 3, 2026




    • Batchcode 26031070101: Best by August 3, 2026




    • Batchcode 26036070102: Best by August 10, 2026




    • Batchcode 26037070102: Best by August 10, 2026







Dirty Brand Maui Onion Potato Chip






  • 2 oz, UPC 83791520162




  • Batchcode 26052070103: Best by August 8, 2026





Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chip






  • 2.5 oz, UPC 83791192208

    • Batchcode 26058070104: Best by August 31, 2026







Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chip






  • 8 oz, UPC 83791192246

    • Batchcode 26058070104: Best by August 31, 2026




    • Batchcode 26059070104: Best by August 31, 2026







Dirty Brand Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips






  • 2 oz, UPC 83791520094

    • Batchcode 26059070104: Best by August 31, 2026







What states were the Dirty and Zapp’s potato chips distributed to?





According to the FDA enforcement reports, the recalled products were distributed to the following 34 states:






  • Alabama




  • Arkansas




  • Arizona




  • California




  • Colorado




  • Connecticut




  • Florida




  • Georgia




  • Iowa




  • Illinois




  • Indiana




  • Kentucky




  • Louisiana




  • Massachusetts




  • Maryland




  • Maine




  • Michigan




  • Minnesota




  • Missouri




  • Mississippi




  • North Carolina




  • New Jersey




  • Nevada




  • New York




  • Ohio




  • Oklahoma




  • Oregon




  • Pennsylvania




  • South Carolina




  • Tennessee




  • Texas




  • Virginia




  • Vermont




  • Wisconsin





Where were the Dirty and Zapp’s potato chips sold?





The recall notice states that the potato chips “are available at retail stores nationwide.” 





What should I do if I have the recalled Dirty and Zapp’s potato chips?





The recall notice instructs customers who have the recalled chips not to consume them.

Instead, they should discard the recalled potato chips.





Customers who want a refund should contact Utz Customer Care at 1-877-423-0149.

Read full article at Fast Company →