Federal health authorities have upgraded their recall of 13-ounce bags of Frito-Lay potato chips over fears that consuming the products, which may contain undeclared milk, could potentially be fatal.
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration announced that Frito-Lay was voluntarily recalling a limited batch of products.
“Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the recalled product,” the FDA said in a notice that was posted on Dec. 16.
The federal agency issued a risk clarification this week, calling the recall a “Class 1” recall — the highest level of alert.
According to the FDA, consuming the chip could cause “serious adverse health consequences or death.”
The recall affects chips distributed in Washington and Oregon and was initiated in December after a customer alerted the company to the issue.
Milk is one of the FDA’s eight “major food allergens” and can trigger serious allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, including hives, cramps, dizziness, swollen vocal cords, and even unconsciousness.
The high-risk classification of this recall underscores the potential severity of the allergen’s presence.
In a statement, Frito-Lay assured consumers that no allergic reactions related to this recall have been reported.
The company also clarified that no other Lay’s products, flavors, sizes, or variety packs are affected, making this an isolated incident.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled chips should immediately dispose of them, especially if they or someone in their household has a milk allergy.
The affected chips can be identified by a “guaranteed fresh” date of February 11 and a manufacturing code of either “6462307xx” or “6463307xx.”
The Lay’s recall comes as part of a broader issue of undeclared allergens in food products.
In January alone, the FDA recalled several other products for undeclared milk and allergens.
These included NuGo Granola Bars, Pearl Milling Company Pancake & Waffle Mix, New York Mutual Trading Co. Monkfish Liver, Monkey Spit Barbecue Sauces, which also contained undeclared wheat and soy, and Shirakiku Snack Corn Puffs.
Additionally, other food products were recalled in January for undeclared allergens beyond milk, such as wheat, eggs, soy, and almonds.
Consumers in Washington and Oregon who purchased Lay’s Classic Potato Chips with the specified date and manufacturing codes should discard them immediately.
Those with concerns or questions can contact Frito-Lay for further information or seek refunds through their point of purchase.
As food safety remains a growing concern, the FDA continues to monitor and address issues related to undeclared allergens, urging manufacturers to ensure transparency in labeling and prevent potential health risks for consumers.
