An urgent recall has been issued for potato chips over fears they could be contaminated with a dangerous bacteria.
Utz Quality Foods, LLC is issuing a voluntary recall in the US of certain varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips after Utz learned that a seasoning used in the chips containing dry milk powder may contain the bacteria salmonella.
The dry milk powder was sourced from California Dairies, Inc. and supplied by an unspecified third-party vendor.
While the affected seasoning batches tested negative for the bacteria prior to use, the recall notice stated that ‘out of an abundance of caution,’ Utz was initiating the recall.
No illnesses have been reported in connection to the recall.
The recall only relates to nine Utz products: 1.5-ounce, 2.5-ounce and 8-ounce Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips; 2-ounce Dirty Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips; 1.5-ounce Zapp’s Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (60 count); 2-ounce Dirty Brand Maui Onion Potato Chip; 2.5-ounce and 8-ounce Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chip; and 2oz Dirty Brand Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips.
The products were sold nationwide at retail stores.
Salmonella is among the leading causes of foodborne illness in the US, infecting about 1.35 million people every year, the CDC estimates, and leads to 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths.
Utz Quality Foods, LLC is issuing a voluntary recall in the US of certain varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips (stock image)
Pictured above are potato chip products included in the recall
Pictured above are potato chip products included in the recall
Symptoms appear within eight to 72 hours of an infection, and include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea and vomiting.
In some cases, however, no symptoms appear at all.
Doctors say that warning signs of the infection generally last a few days to a week and that most patients do not need to see a doctor.
However, they warn that infants, young children, pregnant women and older adults are particularly at risk from salmonella because they have a weaker immune system.
Most people infected with Salmonella recover within a week without treatment, but severe cases may require hospitalization.
In serious cases, the bacteria can spread from the intestines into the blood and infect other organs, such as the brain, heart or lungs, which can trigger the potentially fatal complication sepsis.
Doctors may attempt to treat the infection in these cases using antibiotics.
Health officials urge anyone who develops symptoms to contact their healthcare provider and report the illness to their state health department.
The recalled dry milk powder has affected multiple products. Last week, confectionary-giant Ghirardelli recalled certain batches of its powdered chocolate beverage mixes over potential salmonella contamination.
The products also used the California Dairies dry milk powder.
Neither Ghirardelli nor the manufacturer had received reports of illnesses in connection to that recall.
Additionally, testing by Ghirardelli had ‘not identified any impacted powdered beverage mixes,’ the company said in the recall notice.
‘Nothing is more important to us than the safety and quality of our products, and we’re taking this step out of an abundance of caution,’ it added.
