Utz is voluntary recalling two popular brands of potato chips sold nationwide due to the risk of contamination with the bacteria salmonella, which can cause food borne illness.
The Utz recall affects several flavors and bag sizes of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips, according to a recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration website.
The affected flavors include salt and vinegar, sour cream and onion and more, which are available in different bag sizes.
The issue is due to a seasoning on the chips that contains a dry milk powder that could contain salmonella, according to the FDA notice. The powder, sourced from California Dairies and supplied by a third-party supplier, tested negative for salmonella before the company used it in the chips.
However, out of an abundance of caution, Utz is recalling the potentially affected chips across the country.
Some stores that sold the chips have also issues their own recalls. For example, Publix posted about the recall May 4, which includes four different potato chip products sold at its stores.
Why were the Utz potato chips recalled?
Utz is recalling some flavors and bag sizes of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips because they may contain salmonella, a bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
The company was notified that the milk powder in some of its seasonings may contain salmonella and had been recalled separately. While the seasoning batches tested negative for salmonella before they were used, Utz is voluntarily recalling these chips out of an abundance of caution.
To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled chips.
Which Utz products are included in the recall?
The recall includes three flavors of Zapp’s chips in multiple bag sizes as well as three flavors of Dirty chips in 2-ounce bags. In all, nine Utz products are included in the recall. (For product photos, visit the FDA website.)
However, the recall only affects bags with certain best-by dates and product codes. All of the chips in the recall have best-by dates in July or August of 2026.
- 1.5-ounce Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips with UPC code 83791272917 and best-by dates and batch codes of Aug. 3 (26030070101), Aug. 10 (26036070102), Aug. 17 (26043070101) and Aug. 24 (26052070103).
- 2.5-ounce Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips with UPC code 83791272924 and best-by dates and batch codes of Aug. 3 (26029070104), Aug. 17 (26044070104; 26045070104) and Aug. 31 (26058070104).
- 8-ounce Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips with UPC code 83791272931 and best-by and batch codes of July 27 (26024070105; 26024070104), Aug. 3 (26029070104; 26030070104), Aug. 10 (26037070105; 26038070105), Aug. 17 (26044070105; 26045070105).
- 1.5-ounce Zapp’s Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (60 ct) with UPC code 83791010144 and best-by and batch codes of Aug. 3 (26030070101; 26031070101) and Aug. 10 (26036070102; 26037070102).
- 2.5-ounce Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chips with UPC code 83791192208, best-by date of Aug. 31 and batch code 26058070104.
- 8-ounce Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chips with UPC code 83791192246, best-by date of Aug. 31 and batch code 26058070104 or 26059070104.
- 2-ounce Dirty Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips with UPC code 83791520148 and best-by and batch codes of Aug. 3 (26030070104; 26031070104; 26031070101), Aug. 10 (26038070102; 26038070103).
- 2-ounce Dirty Brand Maui Onion Potato Chips with UPC code 83791520162, best-by date of Aug. 8 and batch code 26052070103.
- 2-ounce Dirty Brand Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips with UPC code 83791520094, best-by date of Aug. 31 and batch code 26059070104.
No other flavors or sizes of Utz, Zapp’s or Dirty brand chips are included in the recall.
What to do if you bought recalled products
If you purchased any of the Zapp’s or Dirty brand chips included in this recall, you should not eat them, the company urges.
Consumers who have any questions or would like a refund should contact the Utz customer care team via email or phone (1-877-423-0149).
Salmonella symptoms
A salmonella infection (also called salmonellosis) is most commonly caused by consuming food or water that’s contaminated by a type of salmonella bacteria.
For most people, the symptoms develop between eight and 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria, the Mayo Clinic explains. However, the symptoms can come on as soon as six hours or as late as six days after exposure.
Those symptoms can include:
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Headache
- Blood in the stool
Generally, the symptoms of a salmonella infection resolve on their own with no need for specific treatment. However, some people have no symptoms, and others can develop severe complications.
Sometimes the infection causes dehydration that’s serious enough to require hospitalization. And, if the infection moves beyond the intestinal tract, it can cause life-threatening issues.
If your illness lasts longer than a few days, comes with a high fever or blood in your stool or is causing signs of severe hydration, you should get in contact with a medical provider.
The recall includes some Dirty sour cream and onion chips and some Zapp’s salt and vinegar chips.