---
title: "684,000 Bags of Zapp's and Dirty Chips Recalled at the FDA's Highest Risk Level"
description: "A recall of Zapp's and Dirty brand potato chips has been upgraded to the FDA's most serious category over a possible salmonella risk. The maker, Utz, is recalling about 684,000 bags nationwide; no illnesses have been reported, but consumers are urged not to eat the affected chips."
category: "U.S."
category_url: https://herald.la/category/us
author: "Mei-Lin Tang"
published: 2026-07-02T13:42:47.000Z
updated: 2026-07-02T13:42:47.000Z
canonical: https://herald.la/article/684-000-bags-of-zapp-s-and-dirty-chips-recalled-at-the-fda-s-highest-risk-level
tags: ["food safety", "FDA recall", "salmonella", "Utz", "consumer alert"]
---
# 684,000 Bags of Zapp's and Dirty Chips Recalled at the FDA's Highest Risk Level

A recall of Zapp's and Dirty brand potato chips has been upgraded to the FDA's most serious category over a possible salmonella risk. The maker, Utz, is recalling about 684,000 bags nationwide; no illnesses have been reported, but consumers are urged not to eat the affected chips.

If you have a bag of Zapp's or Dirty brand potato chips in the pantry, it's worth a look before the holiday weekend. A recall of the snacks has been raised to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's highest risk level over a possible salmonella hazard.

## What's being recalled

Utz Quality Foods, which makes both brands, is recalling roughly 684,000 bags of certain Zapp's and Dirty potato chip varieties sold nationwide, [the FDA said](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). The recall covers several flavors — among them Zapp's Bayou Blackened Ranch and Big Cheezy, and Dirty Sour Cream and Onion — with best-by dates in July and August 2026. Because the exact list of varieties, sizes and codes matters, consumers should check the FDA's notice or Utz's website for the specific products and lot information rather than relying on memory.

## Why, and what "Class I" means

The recall stems from a seasoning ingredient — a dry milk powder from a third-party supplier — that had the potential to be contaminated with salmonella, [Good Morning America reported](https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/utz-voluntarily-recalls-zapps-dirty-potato-chip-brands-132701418). Utz has said the seasoning tested negative and that it acted out of caution. First issued earlier this spring, the recall was elevated in late June to a Class I recall — the FDA's most serious classification, reserved for situations in which there is "a reasonable probability" that using the product will cause serious health consequences or death.

Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Most healthy people recover on their own, but the infection can be dangerous for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

## What to do

The guidance is simple: don't eat the recalled chips. Consumers should discard the affected products or return them to the store where they were bought for a refund. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall so far. Anyone unsure whether a bag is included can verify it against the FDA notice or contact Utz's customer service line for help — and, as always with a recall, when in doubt, throw it out.

## Sources

- [Utz Quality Foods, LLC issues voluntary recall of certain varieties of Zapp's and Dirty potato chips](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)
- [Recall on Zapp's and Dirty brand potato chips assigned FDA's highest risk level](https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/utz-voluntarily-recalls-zapps-dirty-potato-chip-brands-132701418)