A recall of select Zapp's and Dirty potato chips is back in the spotlight after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classified the action at its highest risk level, giving shoppers a fresh reason to check bags left over from holiday gatherings.
The original company announcement, posted by FDA on May 4, 2026, says Utz Quality Foods recalled certain limited varieties of Zapp's and Dirty brand potato chips after learning that a seasoning containing dry milk powder from California Dairies and a third-party supplier may contain salmonella.
The affected seasoning batches tested negative before use, and Utz said at the time that it had received no illness complaints tied to the recalled products. The practical guidance has not changed: people who have affected bags should not eat them and should discard them or contact Utz Customer Care about a refund before putting snacks back into normal kitchen rotation.
What to check
The recall covers only specific products, sizes, best-by dates and batch codes. FDA's recall page lists Zapp's Bayou Blackened Ranch, Salt and Vinegar and Big Cheezy chips, plus Dirty Salt and Vinegar, Maui Onion and Sour Cream and Onion chips. The listed best-by dates run from late July through August 2026, depending on the item.
The most useful move is to compare the exact flavor, size, UPC, best-by date and batch code on the bag with FDA's list, not just the brand name. Utz says no other Utz products are included in the recall.
That distinction matters because broad recall headlines can make a whole snack aisle sound risky. This notice is narrower than that. A shopper looking at plain Utz chips, pretzels or a different flavor should not assume it is covered unless the product details match FDA's recall table.
Why Class I matters
FDA's enforcement materials describe recall classification as the agency's assessment of the relative health hazard after reviewing the available information. The agency also cautions that classification in the enforcement report should not automatically be read as an expansion or change to the company's original public warning.
Still, Class I is the most serious recall category, and salmonella can cause severe illness in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. FDA's recall notice says common symptoms can include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, with rare cases leading to more serious complications if the bacteria enter the bloodstream.
For households, the safest response is administrative rather than investigative. Do not open a questionable bag to smell it or taste it. Put it aside, check the code against the FDA list, and keep a photo of the package if you plan to contact customer care for a refund.
If someone ate a recalled product and develops severe symptoms, bloody diarrhea, persistent fever, dehydration signs or symptoms that do not improve, they should seek medical advice. For everyone else, the immediate task is simpler: find the bag, check the codes and do not taste the product to decide whether it is safe.