FDA Upgrades Recall to Highest Level: What You Need to Know

"Urgent safety recall sign in bold letters."

FDA upgrades recall to highest-level for Lay’s Potato Chips due to undeclared milk allergens, potentially risking lives.

Key Takeaways

Over 6,000 bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips recalled in Washington and Oregon
FDA upgraded recall to Class I, indicating potential for serious health consequences or death
Recall due to undeclared milk allergens, posing risk to individuals with severe milk allergies
Affected products have specific UPC codes and “Guaranteed Fresh” date of Feb. 11, 2025
Consumers with recalled products advised to contact Frito-Lay and not consume if allergic to milk

FDA Escalates Lay’s Potato Chip Recall to Highest Risk Level

The Food and Drug Administration has taken a significant step in consumer protection by upgrading a recall of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips to a Class I recall, the highest level of severity. This action affects over 6,000 bags of the popular snack distributed in Washington and Oregon. The recall, initially issued in mid-December, has been escalated due to the presence of undeclared milk allergens in the product.

The FDA’s decision to classify this recall as Class I underscores the potential danger posed by the undeclared allergens. According to the agency, a Class I recall is issued when “the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” This classification highlights the gravity of the situation for individuals with severe milk allergies or sensitivities who may unknowingly consume these chips.

The FDA has classified a previous Frito-Lay potato chip recall under its highest risk level after some bags of Lay's Classic Potato Chips were found to potentially contain undeclared milk ingredients. https://t.co/vxCGYjKiew

— ABC News (@ABC) January 29, 2025

Details of the Recall: What Consumers Need to Know

The recall specifically involves 6,344 bags of 13-ounce Lay’s Classic Potato Chips. Consumers should be on the lookout for products with UPC codes 28400 and 31041, a “Guaranteed Fresh” date of Feb. 11, 2025, and manufacturing codes 6462307xx or 6463307xx. It’s crucial to note that no other Lay’s products, flavors, sizes, or variety packs are affected by this recall.

Frito-Lay, the manufacturer of Lay’s chips, is advising consumers who have purchased the recalled products and have milk allergies to refrain from consuming them. Instead, they should contact Frito-Lay Consumer Relations for further guidance and potential refunds. This proactive approach by the company aims to prevent any adverse health incidents related to the undeclared allergens.

Broader Implications for Food Safety and Labeling

This recall serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of accurate food labeling, especially concerning allergens. For individuals managing food allergies, clear and correct labeling can be a matter of life and death. The incident highlights the ongoing need for rigorous quality control measures in the food industry to prevent such oversights.

It’s worth noting that this is not an isolated incident in the food industry. A similar Class I recall was recently issued for Kirkland Brand eggs sold at Costco, involving 10,800 packages of 24-count eggs. These recurring incidents point to a broader trend of increasing food recalls, raising questions about current food safety practices and the need for stricter oversight.

As consumers, this situation underscores the importance of staying informed about food recalls and being vigilant about checking product labels, especially for those with known allergies. It also serves as a call to action for food manufacturers to redouble their efforts in ensuring accurate labeling and maintaining the highest standards of food safety to protect public health.