The same supplier recall that triggered Ghirardelli and Aldi alerts last week has now reached the snack aisle.
Utz Quality Foods, LLC announced a voluntary recall today for nine potato chip products sold under the Zapp’s and Dirty brand names, citing potential Salmonella contamination traced to a milk powder ingredient supplied by California Dairies, Inc. The recalled chips were distributed to retailers nationwide.
No illnesses have been reported, and Utz has received no consumer complaints. The recall is precautionary — but given that Salmonella contamination can cause serious illness, the FDA is advising consumers not to eat the affected chips.
A Familiar Supplier at the Root of It
If this recall sounds familiar, it should. California Dairies, Inc. — the third-party dairy supplier at the center of this recall — is the same company whose powdered milk recall triggered Ghirardelli’s recall of 13 powdered beverage mixes last week and an Aldi public health alert for frozen breakfast pizzas. Each new recall tied to the California Dairies ingredient is expanding the footprint of what’s becoming a significant supply chain disruption across the food industry.
Utz uses California Dairies’ milk powder in some of its chip seasonings, which is why the affected products are flavored varieties — ranch, salt and vinegar, cheese, sour cream, and onion — rather than plain chips.
The 9 Recalled Products
Check your bags against the following UPC codes and best-by dates:
Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips — 1.5 oz (UPC 83791272917) Best by Aug. 3, 10, 17, or 24, 2026
Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips — 2.5 oz (UPC 83791272924) Best by Aug. 3, 17, or 31, 2026
Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips — 8 oz (UPC 83791272931) Best by July 27, Aug. 3, Aug. 10, or Aug. 17, 2026
Dirty Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips — 2 oz (UPC 83791520148) Best by Aug. 3 or Aug. 10, 2026
Zapp’s Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips — 1.5 oz, 60-count (UPC 83791010144) Best by Aug. 3 or Aug. 10, 2026
Dirty Brand Maui Onion Potato Chip — 2 oz (UPC 83791520162) Best by Aug. 8, 2026
Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chip — 2.5 oz (UPC 83791192208) Best by Aug. 31, 2026
Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chip — 8 oz (UPC 83791192246) Best by Aug. 31, 2026
Dirty Brand Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips — 2 oz (UPC 83791520094) Best by Aug. 31, 2026
Label images for each product are available on the FDA’s website. No other Utz products are affected by this recall.
Who Needs to Be Most Careful
For most healthy adults, a Salmonella infection causes fever, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting that resolves within a week without treatment. But for certain groups, it can become life-threatening. The FDA flags the following as highest-risk:
- Children under 5
- Adults over 65
- Pregnant individuals
- Anyone with a weakened immune system or chronic illness
In severe cases, Salmonella can enter the bloodstream and cause arterial infections, endocarditis, or arthritis — complications that go well beyond typical food poisoning.
Symptoms can appear anywhere from six hours to six days after exposure, so if you’ve eaten any of the recalled chips recently and experience symptoms, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
What to Do
If you have any of the recalled Zapp’s or Dirty chips at home:
- Do not eat them
- Throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund
- Contact Utz Customer Care at 1-877-423-0149 with any questions
The Bottom Line
Utz Quality Foods has voluntarily recalled nine Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chip products due to a potential Salmonella risk in a milk powder ingredient from supplier California Dairies, Inc. The recall covers flavored chip varieties sold nationwide with best-by dates through August 2026. No illnesses have been reported. If your bag matches the UPC and date above, don’t eat it — return it for a refund.
