Utz Recalls Zapp’s and Dirty Potato Chips, Do You Have One of the 9 Affected Bags?

Utz Quality Foods, LLC, a subsidiary of Utz Brands, Inc., is issuing a voluntary recall in the United States of certain limited varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips. This voluntary recall follows notification to Utz that a seasoning containing dry milk powder, sourced from California Dairies, Inc. and supplied by a third-party supplier, may contain the presence of Salmonella. Nine specific products are affected — all with best-by dates in July or August 2026. No illnesses have been reported, but if these chips are in your kitchen right now, do not eat them.

Quick Facts: Utz Zapp’s and Dirty Chips Salmonella Recall

Field	Detail
Recall Announced	May 4, 2026
Recalling Company	Utz Quality Foods, LLC (subsidiary of Utz Brands, Inc.)
Brands Affected	Zapp’s and Dirty
Number of Products	9 specific varieties and bag sizes
Recall Reason	Dry milk powder in seasoning may contain Salmonella
Ingredient Source	California Dairies, Inc., supplied via third party
Illnesses Reported	None as of recall date
Best-By Dates Affected	Late July 2026 through August 2026
Where Sold	Retail stores nationwide
Refund Contact	1-877-423-0149, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm ET
Official FDA Notice	fda.gov/safety/recalls
Last Updated	May 23, 2026

Why Are These Utz Chips Being Recalled?

The company was alerted that the milk powder used in the seasoning on the potato chips had been separately recalled because it could contain Salmonella. The contamination did not start with Utz — it traced back to a dry milk powder ingredient supplied by California Dairies, Inc. through a third-party ingredient supplier. That supplier triggered its own recall, which set off a chain reaction.

The affected seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella prior to use; however, out of an abundance of caution, Utz is recalling the limited varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips identified below. In other words, Utz did not find Salmonella in the finished chips — but because the source ingredient is under a separate recall, they pulled the products to protect consumers.

This is the same supplier whose potentially Salmonella-contaminated milk powder triggered a Ghirardelli chocolate powder recall one week earlier. The same contamination chain has now touched multiple snack and food companies across the country. Utz is not alone in issuing a precautionary withdrawal because of this specific milk powder source.

Related article: Jackson Hewitt and TurboTax Hit With Class Actions Over Illegal Fees Charged to Military Members

The Full List of Recalled Utz Products

Check the front of your bag for the brand and flavor, then flip it over to find the best-by date and batch code. The batch code is a string of numbers printed near the best-by date.

Zapp’s Brand — Three Flavors, Multiple Sizes

The nine recalled products include: 1.5oz Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips; 2.5oz Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips; 8oz Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips; plus 1.5oz Zapp’s Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips and additional Zapp’s flavors — all with best-by dates between late July and late August 2026.

Dirty Brand — Three Flavors, 2-Ounce Bags Only

The recalled Dirty products include 2-ounce Salt & Vinegar, 2-ounce Maui Onion, and 2-ounce Sour Cream & Onion potato chips sold nationwide with specific UPCs, best-by dates, and batch codes.

The full list of exact UPC codes and batch codes is available at the official FDA recall page. If your bag’s best-by date falls outside July–August 2026, it is not included in this recall.

Are You Part of the Group at Risk from Salmonella?

Most healthy adults who encounter Salmonella experience a few miserable days and recover without treatment. But for some people, the risk is much more serious.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

If you or someone in your household falls into any of these groups, treat this recall seriously even though no illnesses have been confirmed:

• Children under 5
• Adults over 65
• Anyone with a weakened immune system, including those undergoing chemotherapy or taking immunosuppressants
• Pregnant women

If you ate any of the recalled chips and are experiencing symptoms — particularly fever, bloody diarrhea, or severe abdominal cramping — contact your doctor promptly and mention the recall.

What Should You Do Right Now?

Consumers who have purchased the affected chips are advised not to eat them and instead discard the products or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Retailers have been instructed to remove impacted items from store shelves.

Here are your three options:

Step 1 — Check the bag. Look at the best-by date on your Zapp’s or Dirty chips. If it falls between late July 2026 and late August 2026, cross-reference the batch code at the FDA recall page to confirm whether your specific bag is affected.

Step 2 — Do not eat them. Even if the bag is partially open, set it aside. The contamination risk does not decrease once a bag is opened.

Step 3 — Get your refund. For questions or refunds, consumers may contact the Utz Customer Care team by email or call 1-877-423-0149, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern Time. You can also return the product to the store where you bought it for a full refund — most major retailers are accepting returns without a receipt for recalled items.

Could a Lawsuit Follow This Recall?

No class action has been filed against Utz as of the date of this article. Utz Quality Foods reports that there have been no illnesses associated with the recalled products so far. The company is not currently facing any legal action related to this potato chip recall, but recalls can sometimes lead to class action lawsuits.

If illnesses are confirmed and tied to these specific products, a defective product lawsuit or consumer fraud class action becomes significantly more likely. Food contamination cases that cause documented harm are among the most established categories of product liability litigation. For context on how food recall cases develop into class actions, see AllAboutLawyer.com’s coverage of the Straus Family Creamery ice cream recall, which involves a similar fact pattern — a nationwide food recall with no current lawsuit but real potential for consumer litigation.

If you became sick after eating any of the recalled products, document your symptoms, save your medical records, and keep your receipt or bag if you still have it. A product liability attorney can evaluate whether you have a compensable claim — most handle food contamination cases on a contingency basis, meaning no upfront cost to you.

Utz Recall Timeline

Milestone	Date
California Dairies Milk Powder Recall Issued	Late April / Early May 2026
Ghirardelli Chocolate Recall (Same Supplier)	Late April 2026
Utz Voluntary Recall Announced	May 4, 2026
FDA Recall Notice Posted	May 4, 2026
Affected Products’ Best-By Dates	July 27, 2026 – August 31, 2026
Any Class Action Filed	None as of May 23, 2026
Illnesses Reported	None as of May 23, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Utz chips are recalled? 

Nine specific varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips are recalled — three Zapp’s flavors in multiple bag sizes and three Dirty flavors in 2-ounce bags only. All affected bags have best-by dates between late July and late August 2026. No other Utz products are included.

My bag tested negative — should I still throw it out?

Utz noted in its announcement that the affected seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella prior to use — but the recall is precautionary because the source ingredient was separately flagged. Utz and the FDA still advise you not to eat them. When in doubt, throw it out.

How do I get a refund for recalled Utz chips?

 Call Utz Customer Care at 1-877-423-0149 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm ET) or return the product to the store where you bought it. Most major grocery and convenience retailers are accepting recalled products for a full refund.

Was Zapp’s or Dirty brand recalled before? 

Not for Salmonella. This is the first Salmonella-related recall for either brand under Utz ownership. The recall is limited to specific flavors with specific batch codes — the vast majority of Zapp’s and Dirty products are not affected.

Can I sue Utz if I got sick from the recalled chips?

 If you consumed recalled chips and suffered a confirmed Salmonella infection, you may have a consumer food safety claim under product liability law. Document your illness with medical records, save any packaging you have, and consult a product liability attorney. Most work on contingency — no cost unless they recover money for you. No class action has been filed as of the date of this article.

Are my Zapp’s chips safe if they are a different flavor? 

This recall is limited exclusively to the products listed in the FDA notice. No other products produced by Utz Quality Foods are included in this recall. If your bag is a flavor not on the list — or has a best-by date outside July–August 2026 — it is not part of this recall.

Should I go to the hospital if I ate recalled chips?

 If you ate the recalled chips and feel completely well, monitor for symptoms over the next few days. For most people, symptoms develop between eight and 72 hours after exposure to Salmonella bacteria — but they can appear as soon as six hours or as late as six days after exposure. Seek medical attention promptly if you develop fever, bloody diarrhea, or severe cramping, especially if you are elderly, pregnant, or have a weakened immune system.

Sources & References

• Official FDA Recall Notice — Utz Quality Foods, LLC, May 4, 2026 — fda.gov
• CDC — Salmonella: Symptoms and Treatment — cdc.gov/salmonella
• CFPB — Consumer Product Recalls Resource — consumerfinance.gov

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against the official FDA recall notice and primary news sources. Last Updated: May 23, 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you believe you were harmed by a recalled product, consult a qualified attorney.