Zapp’s Potato Chip Recall Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Utz Quality Foods, LLC recalled specific Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips on May 4, 2026, after learning a seasoning ingredient might contain Salmonella. The FDA later classified the recall at its highest risk level, Class I, on July 2, 2026. The recall covers six Zapp’s-brand chips and three Dirty-brand flavors from the same event. The seasoning’s dry milk powder, supplied by a third party, may contain Salmonella, though it tested negative before use. Consumers who bought the recalled chips should not eat them and should discard them or contact Utz for a refund. The recall remains open at the Class I level.

Latest Zapp’s Potato Chips Recall Updates

July 2, 2026: FDA Classifies Zapp’s Recall as Class I

The FDA classified this recall as Class I, its most serious risk designation, in its weekly enforcement report, NBC News reported [1]. The report did not explain why it earned the top classification. By that point the recall covered over 650,000 bags of Zapp’s and Dirty chips combined across both brands, with no illnesses reported so far this year.

May 4, 2026: Utz Announces Voluntary Recall

Utz Quality Foods, LLC announced a voluntary recall of certain Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips after a seasoning ingredient was flagged for possible Salmonella and tested negative before use, according to the FDA notice [2]. The affected products were sold at retail stores nationwide, with no specific retailer or price named in the coverage. Consumers with questions could reach Utz Customer Care by phone.

What Is Salmonella?

The FDA describes Salmonella as a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever, a condition known as salmonellosis [3]. It can spread through unwashed hands, raw or undercooked food, or contact with animals. The seasoning ingredient tied to the Zapp’s and Dirty potato chip recall was flagged as a possible source of Salmonella, the hazard described above.

Which Zapp’s Potato Chips Are Affected?

The recall covers six Zapp’s-brand potato chip items, each identified by size, UPC code and best-by date:

• 1.5oz Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (UPC 83791272917), best-by dates Aug. 3-24, 2026
• 2.5oz Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (UPC 83791272924), best-by dates Aug. 3-31, 2026
• 8oz Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips (UPC 83791272931), best-by dates July 27-Aug. 17, 2026
• 1.5oz Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips, 60-count (UPC 83791010144), best-by dates Aug. 3-10, 2026
• 2.5oz Big Cheezy Potato Chips (UPC 83791192208), best-by date Aug. 31, 2026
• 8oz Big Cheezy Potato Chips (UPC 83791192246), best-by date Aug. 31, 2026

Three Dirty-brand flavors were recalled in the same action as the Dirty potato chips recall: 2oz Salt and Vinegar, 2oz Maui Onion, and 2oz Sour Cream and Onion potato chips. Each Dirty item carries its own UPC code and best-by date, separate from the Zapp’s items above. Shoppers should match every package against the FDA’s list. Anything outside these codes and dates is not part of this recall.

Why Were Zapp’s Potato Chips Recalled?

Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips were recalled because Utz was notified that a seasoning ingredient – dry milk powder sourced from California Dairies, Inc. and supplied by a third party – may have contained Salmonella, the FDA notice says. The seasoning batches themselves tested negative for Salmonella before Utz used them in the chips. Utz said it issued the recall out of caution rather than because of a confirmed problem in a finished bag. Utz has said it is recalling the products based on the ingredient supplier’s own recall of the seasoning, a precaution taken before any Salmonella was found in a finished product.

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

No illnesses had been reported to Utz in connection with the recalled Zapp’s or Dirty potato chips, the FDA notice says. The FDA classified this recall Class I on July 2, 2026, its most serious risk level for the Zapp’s and Dirty chips covered here. As NBC News reported, the FDA defines Class I as “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” The Class I risk rating applies whether or not a report has reached the company yet. Anyone who became sick after eating the recalled chips can still report it to Utz or the FDA.

What Should Consumers Do?

Anyone who bought the recalled Zapp’s or Dirty potato chips should take the following steps:

1. Stop eating any of the recalled chips right away.
2. Compare the bag’s printed codes with the recalled list before eating anything further.
3. Throw away any recalled bags still in the home.
4. Contact Utz Customer Care at 1-877-423-0149 for a refund. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern Time.
5. Report a concern to the FDA at 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332).
6. Watch for Salmonella symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Call a doctor if symptoms are severe or do not improve.

Legal Options

No lawsuit, class action or multidistrict litigation had been filed over this recall as of the records reviewed for this page, based on searches for related legal filings. A recall does not automatically establish liability or eligibility for compensation. Anyone who became ill after eating the recalled chips may still want a legal review. Salmonella lawsuit claims covers related litigation more broadly.

Filing Deadlines

Deadlines for filing a product-related injury claim come from state law. They depend on where the person lives and when the illness and diagnosis happened. A strong claim can still be lost entirely if the applicable deadline passes first. Anyone considering a claim tied to the recalled Zapp’s or Dirty chips should confirm the applicable deadline with a lawyer promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella Poisoning?

Salmonella poisoning symptoms include fever, diarrhea that may contain blood, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps, usually within a day or two after eating the recalled Zapp’s or Dirty chips. Most people recover without treatment, but severe cases can need hospitalization.

What Dirty Brand Potato Chips Were Recalled?

Three Dirty-brand potato chip flavors were recalled alongside the Zapp’s chips: Salt and Vinegar, Maui Onion, and Sour Cream and Onion, all 2oz. Their best-by dates run from August 3, 2026 through August 31, 2026, later than several of the Zapp’s dates.

Does the Zapp’s Potato Chip Recall Have a Recall Number?

The Zapp’s potato chip recall does not have a recall or campaign number listed in the FDA’s notice. Instead, the notice tells shoppers apart by the printed codes on each bag. Match those against the recalled list rather than looking for a number.

Who Is Most at Risk from This Recall?

The people most at risk from this recall are young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems, the FDA notice says, since Salmonella can occasionally enter the bloodstream and cause complications such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis or arthritis. Most healthy adults recover without treatment.

Are Other Utz Snack Products Included in This Recall?

No other Utz Quality Foods products are included in this recall, the FDA notice says. The action covers only nine specific SKUs total, listed by UPC code and best-by date. Shoppers can keep eating any other Utz snacks without concern.

Who Owns Utz Quality Foods?

Utz Quality Foods, LLC, the company that issued this recall, is a subsidiary of Utz Brands, Inc. Consumers with questions about a refund can still reach Utz Customer Care directly rather than contacting the parent company.

References

1. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/utz-potato-chips-issued-highest-level-fda-recall-salmonella-concerns-rcna352791
2. 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
3. https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/salmonella-salmonellosis