The Food and Drug Administration has elevated its recall of Utz’s Dirty and Zapp’s potato chips to Class 1, the most serious classification. The chips are part of a widespread recall of powdered milk and buttermilk distributed to manufacturers across the country over concerns about Salmonella contamination. A recall was first issued by California Dairies Inc. on April 20, 2026, over the powdered milk sent to different companies for a variety of products, including everything from frozen pizzas to salad dressings. Utz then issued its own voluntary recall of Zapps and Dirty potato chips on May 4 because the seasonings contained dry milk powder from California Dairies, supplied to Utz by an unnamed third party. The chips were initially issued under a Class 2 recall, which the FDA defines as having the potential to “cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
Under a Class 1 recall, the contamination creates a situation where “there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” The company has not reported any serious health consequences from consuming Dirty and Zapp’s chips and has previously said the recall is being done “out of an abundance of caution.” Utz didn’t immediately respond to questions emailed on Thursday about whether there have been any consumer reports of illnesses since its initial May 4 recall notice.
