HANOVER, Pennsylvania, May 7, 2026, 07:05 (EDT)
- Utz Quality Foods has pulled nine varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips from shelves across the country, responding to a supplier alert that flagged possible salmonella contamination in the seasoning’s dry milk powder.
- No illnesses have surfaced, the company said, adding that tests on the specific seasoning batches came back negative before they were used.
- Other consumer-food brands have also yanked products tied to the same California Dairies milk powder issue. The recall follows suit.
Utz Quality Foods LLC is pulling select Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips off U.S. shelves, after a seasoning ingredient—dry milk powder—raised salmonella concerns, according to both the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Why now? The chips hit retail shelves across the country, so they could still be sitting in home pantries, packed lunches, or even tucked away in convenience store backrooms. Utz has urged shoppers not to eat the recalled snacks and asked retailers to pull affected products from shelves and check their stock.
The recall highlights ongoing supply-chain troubles rather than just one faulty bag. Utz traced the issue to seasoning made with dry milk powder, which came from California Dairies Inc. through another supplier. The FDA’s recall list has flagged multiple foods recently for possible salmonella contamination.
Zapp’s Bayou Blackened Ranch—sold in 1.5-ounce, 2.5-ounce, and 8-ounce bags—made the list, along with Zapp’s Salt and Vinegar in that 1.5-ounce 60-count pack. Big Cheezy, also under the Zapp’s brand, is included in both 2.5-ounce and 8-ounce sizes. Dirty Salt and Vinegar, Dirty Maui Onion, and Dirty Sour Cream and Onion in 2-ounce bags round out the group. According to ABC News, nine combinations of flavors and sizes are covered by the recall.
Chips with best-by dates ranging from late July to August 2026 are part of the recall, depending on which product and batch code you check. According to Utz, none of its other Quality Foods lines are included in this action.
So far, Utz hasn’t received any reports of illness tied to the recalled chips. The company noted that its seasoning batches all tested negative for salmonella before being used. Still, that’s where the uncertainty comes in: the recall is strictly precautionary, but risky dry ingredients can pass through multiple products before anyone picks up on the danger.
Salmonella, a bacteria known for causing foodborne illness, typically brings on diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, according to the CDC. Symptoms can appear anywhere from six hours up to six days after exposure and may persist for four to seven days. The agency notes that children under 5, seniors over 65, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for more serious illness.
Utz’s recall comes on the heels of similar moves by other food makers tied to concerns over milk powder. John B. Sanfilippo & Son pulled snack mixes distributed under Fisher, Southern Style Nuts, Squirrel Brand, and Target’s Good & Gather names. Ghirardelli also recalled some of its powdered drink mixes, all connected to the California Dairies milk powder issue.
Pork King Good pulled some Sour Cream & Onion pork rinds and seasoning off shelves, citing a California Dairies recall of milk powder used in its seasoning mix. So far, the company hasn’t seen any illness or injury cases, and it says internal checks turned up no contaminated finished products.
The recall hit just as Utz was pushing through a packed week on the investor front. The company posted $361.3 million in net sales for the first quarter, a 2.6% bump, with branded salty snacks up 5.2%. CEO Howard Friedman described it as a “solid start to the year.” CFO BK Kelley added that Utz is “reaffirming all aspects” of its 2026 guidance. Business Wire
Utz shares were still awaiting the opening bell on U.S. exchanges when this was published. Nasdaq’s main session stretches from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern, with pre-market moves happening ahead of those hours.
Utz is telling customers to toss out any recalled bags. For refunds or questions, buyers can reach Utz Customer Care at 1-877-423-0149, available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
