Potato chip recall: Map shows states affected by ‘life-threatening’ alert

What’s new

Frito-Lay announced a recall of certain bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips on Monday after learning that the product may contain black milk. The goods were sold in two states, Oregon and Washington.

Why it matters

Food is recalled for a variety of reasons, including if the product potentially contains undeclared ingredients that could trigger an allergic reaction, or if it could have been contaminated by bacteria, such as E. coli.

Frito-Lay, the maker of Lay’s potato chips, voluntarily issued the recall after being alerted by a consumer that the chips may contain undeclared milk. The recall was announced by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday.

What to know

If someone with a severe allergy to milk consumes the product, there could be a life-threatening reaction, a Frito-Lay press release warned. “Those with allergies or severe sensitivities to milk are at risk of a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the recalled product.”

Despite the severity of the warning, no allergic reactions have been reported so far, Frito-Lay added in the release.

The recall affects a “limited number” of 13-ounce bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips.

The chips were distributed in retail stores and through e-commerce distributors in Oregon and Washington, and were available for purchase as early as November 3rd. The chips are packaged in a flexible pouch with a guaranteed fresh date of February 11, 2025, and a production code of either 6462307xx or 6463307xx. The UPC code is 28400 31041.

The chips affected by the recall must have both the guaranteed fresh date and one of the manufacturing codes.

What people say

A Frito-Lay representative said Newsweek: “Frito-Lay issued a recall for a limited number of 13 oz. bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips that may contain undeclared milk. The product included in this recall was distributed in Oregon and Washington. No other Lay’s products, flavors, sizes or varieties pack be revoked.”

What happens next

Customers with allergies or hypersensitivity to milk should not consume the product and are encouraged to discard it immediately.

The FDA is likely to issue a classification for the recall after its scientists assess the health hazards.

There are three classification levels for recalls based on the risk of the product. A Class I recall is the most serious when consuming the affected product could cause serious health problems or death. A Class II is issued when a product may cause a temporary health problem or slight threat, and Class III is the least severe of the levels, where a product is unlikely to cause a health problem but still violates FDA labeling or manufacturing laws.

It is unclear when a classification will be issued for the Frito-Lay recall.