Here’s what you should know:
- Date: December 16
- Announced by: Frito-Lay
- Company: Frito-Lay
- Product: Lay’s Classic Potato Chips (13 oz. bags)
- Issue: Undeclared Milk
- Product details: 13 oz. flexible bags; distributed in Oregon and Washington
Keep reading to find out more!
What happened?
Frito-Lay, the snack giant known for its crispy, crunchy chips, has issued a recall of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips 13 oz. bags this past December 16th. A mislabeling caused this issue: the bags may contain undeclared milk — a potential health hazard for individuals with milk allergies or severe sensitivities. The products were distributed to certain retail stores and e-commerce distributors in Oregon and Washington. Consumers would have been able to purchase these chips as early as November 3, 2024.
Brand | Product | Size | UPC code | Best by Date | Manufacturing Dates | Issue | Picture |
Frito Lay | Lay’s Classic Potato Chips | 13 oz. bags flexible package | 2840031041 | 11 FEB 2025 | 6462307xx | 6463307xx | Undeclared milk |  |
What caused the issue?
Due to a mislabeling error, the bag of chips didn’t declare milk on them. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products. This is one of the eight most common food allergens, and when it’s not disclosed on a product’s label, it can be a major problem. This is because some immune systems confuse certain proteins found in milk as harmful. Your body goes on full alert mode and it releases histamine and other chemicals that cause allergic signs and symptoms. A bite of a tasty chip could end up causing hives, stomach troubles, or worse—an allergic reaction that requires immediate attention. Among the most common food allergens we can find:
- Cow’s milk (dairy)
- Egg
- Peanut
- Tree nuts
- Sesame
- Soy
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Wheat
No illnesses have been reported to date.
Here’s what you should do
- Check the label:
UPC: 2840031041
Guaranteed fresh date: 11 FEB 2025
Manufacturing codes: 6462307xx | 6463307xx - Identify the product:
Lay’s Classic Potato Chips flexible 13 oz. bags - What you should do:
If consumers have an allergy or sensitivity to milk, they should not consume the product and discard it immediately. Frito-Lay has informed the FDA of this action but the latter hasn’t published it yet. - Contact info:
Those with the product described above can contact Frito-Lay Consumer Relations at 1-800-352-4477 (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST, Monday-Friday).
Behind the brand
The mega brand that has been around since 1932 started in a small kitchen that then became one of the top snack companies in the market, with 29 snack brands, 55,000 dedicated Frito-Lay employees, and enough potatoes per year to reach the moon and back. (If they were stacked end to end.) As part of PepsiCo, their mission is to create more smiles with every sip and every bite. How? By embracing Winning with Purpose. That is, winning in the marketplace, accelerating growth, and keeping their commitment to the planet and their communities.
Unfortunately, this isn’t their first rodeo when it comes to recalls. Earlier this year, on January 12th, they issued a recall for Quaker cereals, bars, and snacks because they had the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. And, on May 14th, they issued a recall for their SunChips Multigrains Harvest Cheddar Snacks and Original Munchies Snack Mix due to the same bacteria.
Multiple companies were dealing with the same undeclared ingredients issue this past week. Take Cal Yee Farm LLC for example, they’ve issued a recall this past December 14th on several of their snack products due to undeclared milk, soy, wheat, sesame, FD&C #6, and almonds.
Ensuring safe eats!
At the end of the day, food safety is a shared responsibility. Whether you’re a brand, consumer, or regulatory body, everyone plays a role in ensuring that what goes into our bodies is safe. Frito-Lay’s quick response to this recall is a step in the right direction.
“At a time when consumer trust is paramount, ensuring that every ingredient in a product is accurately labeled is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s a responsibility. The issue of undeclared allergens, like milk in this recall, highlights the importance of transparency and rigorous quality control in the food supply chain. Companies must remain vigilant and proactive in their sourcing, labeling, and safety practices to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the industry as a whole.” Eran Mizrahi, Source86’ CEO.
Wanna know more about recalls like this one? Talk to our team today!
