If you have bags of Zapp's or Dirty brand potato chips in your pantry, stop eating them immediately. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded a voluntary recall of certain Zapp's and Dirty brand potato chips — originally announced by Utz Quality Foods back in May 2026 — to a Class I recall, the agency's most serious risk classification. A Class I recall means there is a reasonable probability that consuming the affected products could cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The chips in question may be contaminated with salmonella, a dangerous bacterial organism that can cause severe and potentially life-threatening foodborne illness.

How This Recall Started: A Trail From California Dairies to Your Chip Bag

The contamination chain behind this recall begins not with Utz, but with one of its ingredient suppliers. On April 20, 2026, California Dairies Inc. initiated a recall of bulk powdered milk and buttermilk products after concerns were raised about possible salmonella contamination in its dairy processing facilities. That recall quickly rippled downstream: on April 28, Ghirardelli powdered beverage mixes — including bulk frappes and hot cocoa products containing the affected California Dairies milk powder — were recalled. Days later, Utz Quality Foods was notified by a third-party supplier that a seasoning blend containing the contaminated dry milk powder had been used in the production of certain Zapp's and Dirty brand potato chip varieties. Utz responded by issuing a voluntary recall on May 5, 2026, covering nine distinct product varieties sold at retail stores across the country.

Importantly, Utz has confirmed that the affected seasoning batches tested negative for salmonella prior to use in chip production. The company is proceeding with the recall purely as a precautionary measure based on the upstream ingredient supplier's recall — not because salmonella has been detected in the finished chip products. As of the most recent update, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled chips. However, the FDA's decision to upgrade the classification to Class I reflects the agency's conservative and precautionary stance when it comes to salmonella risk, particularly given the vulnerability of certain consumer groups to severe infection.

Exactly Which Products Are Affected

The recall covers approximately 684,000 bags of chips across nine product varieties in multiple flavors and bag sizes, all sold at retail stores in 34 states nationwide. The affected products and their packaging sizes include:

  • Zapp's Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips — 1.5 oz, 2.5 oz, and 8 oz bags
  • Zapp's Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips — 1.5 oz (60-count box)
  • Zapp's Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chips — select sizes
  • Dirty Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips — 2 oz bags
  • Dirty Brand Maui Onion Potato Chips — 2 oz bags
  • Dirty Brand Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips — 2 oz bags

The recall is limited exclusively to bags with "Best By" dates ranging from July 27, 2026 through August 31, 2026. Products with best-by dates outside this range are not part of the recall. The complete list of affected UPC codes, batch codes, and product labels can be found on the official FDA recall notice page. No other Utz Quality Foods products are included in this recall.

What Is a Class I Recall — and Why It Matters

The FDA classifies recalls into three tiers based on the severity of potential health risk. A Class III recall is the least serious, covering products unlikely to cause adverse health consequences. A Class II recall involves products that may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems. A Class I recall — the classification now applied to these Utz chips — is reserved for situations where there is a reasonable probability that using or being exposed to the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The upgrade does not change what consumers should do — avoid and discard the products — but it signals the FDA's heightened concern and typically triggers more aggressive follow-up monitoring and enforcement activity.

Salmonella: Symptoms, Risk Groups, and When to See a Doctor

Salmonella is a genus of bacteria responsible for one of the most common foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States each year, with the CDC estimating roughly 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually. Symptoms of a salmonella infection — called salmonellosis — typically appear between 6 hours and 6 days after consuming contaminated food or water, and include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Diarrhea, which may be watery or bloody
  • Nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps
  • Headache and loss of appetite

Most healthy adults recover from a salmonella infection without specific medical treatment within 4 to 7 days. However, certain groups face significantly greater risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and life-threatening complications. These include children under 5 years of age, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as HIV, cancer treatment, diabetes, or organ transplantation. In rare and severe cases, salmonella can escape the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream, leading to life-threatening complications including infected arterial aneurysms, endocarditis, and septic arthritis. Anyone who develops symptoms after consuming any of the recalled chip varieties should contact their healthcare provider promptly.

What to Do If You Have the Recalled Chips at Home

The FDA and Utz Quality Foods are urging consumers who have purchased any of the affected Zapp's or Dirty brand chip varieties with the relevant best-by dates to stop eating them immediately. Do not taste the product to determine if it seems safe — salmonella contamination cannot be detected by smell, appearance, or taste. Consumers should either discard the affected bags in a sealed trash container or return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. For questions about the recall or to request a refund, consumers can contact the Utz Customer Care team by phone at 1-877-423-0149, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or by email at customerservice@utzsnacks.com.