Salmonella contamination fears prompted Utz Quality Foods to voluntarily recall several varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips nationwide this week. The recall affects specific batches containing potentially contaminated dry milk powder seasoning sourced from California Dairies, Inc., through a third-party supplier.
No illnesses have been reported to date, but the company acted “out of an abundance of caution” after receiving notification from its supplier about possible contamination. The seasoning batches actually tested negative for Salmonella before use, yet Utz proceeded with the recall to protect consumers.
Affected Products Hit Store Shelves Nationwide
The recall spans multiple popular snack varieties distributed to retail locations across the United States.
Fan-favorite flavors from both Zapp’s and Dirty brands reached retail stores nationwide, making this a coast-to-coast consumer safety issue rather than a regional problem. Distribution networks carried these potentially affected products to grocery stores and convenience shops from coast to coast.
Recalled Products Include:
- Zapp’s Bayou Blackened Ranch (1.5oz, 2.5oz, 8oz packages with best-by dates July 27-August 31, 2026)
- Dirty Salt & Vinegar (2oz packages)
- Zapp’s Salt & Vinegar (1.5oz 60-count variety packs)
- Dirty Maui Onion (2oz packages)
- Zapp’s Big Cheezy (2.5oz and 8oz packages)
- Dirty Sour Cream & Onion (2oz packages)
Health experts emphasize that Salmonella infections pose serious risks, particularly for young children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems. Symptoms typically appear six hours to six days after exposure, according to FDA guidelines.
Most people experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain lasting four to seven days. These complications underscore why even precautionary recalls matter for public health.
Consumer Action Required for Safety
Shoppers should check their pantries immediately and discard any affected products.
You should throw away recalled products immediately or contact Utz for replacement or refund options. The company has suspended production of affected varieties pending investigation results. This recall reflects ongoing industry vigilance around milk powder contamination, which has triggered similar safety alerts across major snack brands in recent years.
