FDA Announces Potato Chip Recall Over Possible Salmonella Contamination Concerns

Utz Quality Foods recalled several popular flavors of its Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips over concerns the products may be contaminated with Salmonella, the FDA announced on Monday.

Audrey Simons

Published: 5/5/2026, 2:28:31 PM EDT

FDA Announces Potato Chip Recall Over Possible Salmonella Contamination Concerns — Utz Quality Foods voluntarily recalled limited varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips on May 4, 2026. (Courtesy of the Food and Drug Administration)

The popular snack food company Utz Quality Foods has recalled several popular flavors of its Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips over concerns the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The nationwide voluntary recall comes after the Pennsylvania-based company was alerted that a seasoning used in its chips, which contains a dry milk powder ingredient sourced from California Dairies, Inc. through a third-party supplier, may possibly contain Salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shared in a press release Monday.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Salmonella is a common bacterial infection that targets the intestinal tract and is usually spread through food or water that has been contaminated with fecal matter from infected animals.

Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, and fever, among others, and typically appear between six hours and six days after exposure to the bacteria. The foodborne illness is not usually fatal, but can be more severe in young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

The FDA noted that in rare cases, Salmonella infection can spread beyond the intestines and enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to serious complications such as arterial infections, arthritis, and endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart's chambers and valves.

The agency said the affected seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella before being used, but Utz Quality Foods decided to pull the products "out of an abundance of caution."

The recalled Zapp's brand flavors include a 60-count pack of 1.5-ounce Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (UPC 83791010144), 1.5-ounce, 2.5-ounce, and 8-ounce bags of Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (UPCs 83791272917, 83791272924, and 83791272931, respectively), and 2.5-ounce and 8-ounce Big Cheezy Potato Chips (UPCs 83791192208 and 83791192246).

Also included in the recall are 2-ounce Dirty brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (UPC 83791520148), Maui Onion Potato Chips (UPC 83791520162), and Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips (UPC 83791520094).

According to the FDA, Utz Quality Foods has not received any reports of illness from customers linked to the recalled items. The agency said consumers who have any of the recalled products should not eat them and should discard them instead.

"Retailers should check their inventories and shelves to confirm that none of the products are present or available for purchase by consumers," the FDA added.

Customers are asked to contact the Utz Customer Care team directly by email or by calling 1-877-423-0149 during normal business hours with any questions about the recall or to obtain a refund.