FDA Recalls Select Zapp’s and Dirty Potato Chips Nationwide Over Possible Salmonella Risk
Shoppers should check their snack shelves now: the FDA says Utz Quality Foods LLC is voluntarily recalling certain limited varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips because a seasoning ingredient may be contaminated with Salmonella. The notice was dated May 4, 2026 and covers affected bags sold nationwide.
This is not a warning about every Zapp’s or Dirty chip. The recall applies only to the specific limited varieties listed in the FDA notice, so the key step is to compare your package details carefully. Check the product name, UPC, best-by date, and batch code against the official recall information before serving the chips in lunchboxes, at parties, or as an easy snack for kids and guests.
What was recalled
According to the FDA, the recall involves select Zapp’s and Dirty potato chip varieties made by Utz Quality Foods. The concern is a seasoning ingredient that may be contaminated with Salmonella. Because seasoning is added across a batch, the safest approach is to treat any matching product as affected and not assume a bag is fine based on appearance alone.
The recall is nationwide, which makes it especially important to check pantry snacks, office stashes, car snack bins, and any chips tucked into lunch supplies. If you bought these brands recently, take a minute to read the label before opening a bag.
How to check your bags
Use the FDA notice as your guide and compare the package details exactly. Look for:
- The brand and variety name
- The UPC
- The best-by date
- The batch code
If your bag matches the recall listing, do not eat it. The FDA guidance is straightforward: discard the product. If you are sorting through several snack bags at once, it can help to put the questionable ones aside immediately so they do not get served by mistake later.
Why this matters at home
Chip recalls can slip past busy households because they are shelf-stable and easy to forget about once they are tucked away. That is exactly why a quick pantry check matters here. If your family uses chips for school lunches, road trips, or last-minute sides, this recall is worth reviewing right away.
The FDA said no illnesses had been reported at the time of the notice. That is reassuring, but it does not change the advice for consumers who have the listed products at home: do not taste-test them and do not keep them “just in case.” Discard any matched product.
What to do next
If you find a recalled bag, throw it away. Then wipe down any shelf or bin where it was stored, especially if crumbs may have spilled into a pantry, snack drawer, or tote bag. After that, take one more look through your snack storage for other recent recall notices from the FDA or FoodSafety.gov, since nationwide grocery items can move quickly through busy kitchens.
For families, the best habit is simple: check the label before serving packaged snacks, especially products that children or guests may grab without noticing the details. A quick glance at the brand, UPC, best-by date, and batch code can keep a recalled item out of the bowl and out of the lunchbox.
