Utz Recalls Certain Zapp’s and Dirty Potato Chips Over Potential Salmonella Contamination

HANOVER, Pa. (May 4, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Utz Quality Foods, LLC, a subsidiary of Utz Brands, Inc., is voluntarily recalling certain limited varieties of Zapp’s® and Dirty® potato chips due to a potential Salmonella contamination risk. According to the FDA, Utz initiated the recall after a third-party supplier notified the company that a seasoning ingredient may contain Salmonella. Regulators said retailers nationwide sold the affected products.

Zapp’s and Dirty recall: Quick summary

According to the FDA, the recall affects several flavors and package sizes of Zapp’s® and Dirty® potato chips sold across the United States. A seasoning blend containing dry milk powder from California Dairies, Inc., triggered the recall after a third-party supplier warned Utz about potential Salmonella contamination. Although testing showed no Salmonella in the seasoning batches before production, Utz chose to recall the products “out of an abundance of caution.” The agency confirmed that no illnesses or injuries have been linked to the recalled chips so far. Utz urges consumers not to eat the affected products and to either discard them or return them for a refund.

What happened?

The FDA said Utz Quality Foods initiated the recall after discovering that a seasoning ingredient used in several potato chip products may contain Salmonella. The seasoning included dry milk powder from California Dairies, Inc., which is a third-party ingredient supplier.

Utz announced the recall on May 4, 2026, in coordination with the FDA. According to the agency, retailers nationwide sold the affected chips in multiple package sizes and flavors under the Zapp’s® and Dirty® brands.

The company told regulators that the seasoning batches had tested negative for Salmonella before use. However, Utz proceeded with the recall after being notified of a supplier-related concern involving the ingredient source.

“In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses,” the FDA warned in its recall notice. The agency also stated that “healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.”

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best by date	Issue	Affected states or zones
Zapp’s®	Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips	1.5 oz	83791272917	Aug. 3–24, 2026	Potential Salmonella contamination	Nationwide
Zapp’s®	Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips	2.5 oz	83791272924	Aug. 3–31, 2026	Potential Salmonella contamination	Nationwide
Zapp’s®	Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips	8 oz	83791272931	Jul. 27–Aug. 17, 2026	Potential Salmonella contamination	Nationwide
Dirty®	Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips	2 oz	83791520148	Aug. 3–10, 2026	Potential Salmonella contamination	Nationwide
Zapp’s®	Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips	1.5 oz	83791010144	Aug. 3–10, 2026	Potential Salmonella contamination	Nationwide
Dirty®	Maui Onion Potato Chips	2 oz	83791520162	Aug. 8, 2026	Potential Salmonella contamination	Nationwide
Zapp’s®	Big Cheezy Potato Chips	2.5 oz	83791192208	Aug. 31, 2026	Potential Salmonella contamination	Nationwide
Zapp’s®	Big Cheezy Potato Chips	8 oz	83791192246	Aug. 31, 2026	Potential Salmonella contamination	Nationwide
Dirty®	Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips	2 oz	83791520094	Aug. 31, 2026	Potential Salmonella contamination	Nationwide

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, the recall was triggered by concerns that seasoning ingredients used in the chips may contain Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness in the United States and can pose serious health risks, particularly to young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems.

The agency confirmed that no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products at this time.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause more serious complications such as arterial infections or endocarditis.

Company officials said the recall is precautionary and based on information received from an ingredient supplier.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not consume the recalled potato chips
• Dispose of the products safely or return them to the place of purchase for a refund
• Check the back or side of the package for UPC codes and best-by dates
• Compare your product against the FDA recall list carefully
• Consumers with questions may contact Utz Customer Care at 1-877-423-0149 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time

Behind the brand

Utz Quality Foods, LLC operates as a Pennsylvania-based snack manufacturer that produces potato chips, pretzels, cheese snacks, and other savory products sold throughout the United States. The company, which was founded more than a century ago, has expanded its portfolio through acquisitions and regional snack brands, including Zapp’s® and Dirty®.

In its recall notice, Utz said it voluntarily removed the affected products from the market and continues to work closely with the FDA. The company also emphasized that the recall does not affect any other Utz-manufactured products.

Other relevant recalls

This recall follows a growing number of food safety alerts involving seasoning ingredients and Salmonella contamination across the snack and packaged foods industry. Recent examples include John B. Sanfilippo and Son’s recall of Fisher, Southern Style Nuts, Squirrel Brand, and Good & Gather snack mixes over potential Salmonella contamination, as well as an FSIS health alert issued for certain meat and poultry products linked to potentially contaminated dairy ingredients. Other recent incidents include Ghirardelli’s recall of powdered beverage mixes over possible Salmonella contamination and Costco’s recall of meatloaf and mashed potatoes meal kits tied to similar concerns. Together, these cases highlight how ingredient-related contamination can affect a wide range of packaged foods distributed nationwide.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said the Utz recall reflects a broader challenge facing food manufacturers today:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability.”

Broader pattern

This is the latest in a series of Salmonella-related recalls affecting packaged snack foods sold nationwide. Over the past year, multiple recalls have been linked to contaminated seasoning ingredients, dairy powders, and spice blends supplied through third-party manufacturers.

Industry analysts say these incidents highlight the growing complexity of modern food supply chains, where a single contaminated ingredient can affect numerous products distributed across the country. Experts continue to stress the importance of ingredient traceability, supplier audits, and rapid recall response systems to minimize public health risks.

Ensuring safe eats

The Utz recall serves as another reminder of how quickly ingredient-related concerns can ripple through the food industry. While no illnesses have been reported, recalls involving potential Salmonella contamination underscore the importance of preventive controls, supplier oversight, and transparent communication between manufacturers and regulators.

Consumers who purchased the affected Zapp’s® or Dirty® potato chips should check packaging details carefully and avoid consuming any recalled products. Food companies, meanwhile, continue facing increasing pressure to strengthen traceability systems and quality assurance practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, private label production, and supply chain transparency so companies can respond quickly and responsibly when food safety issues arise. Contact us.