FDA Issues Urgent Recall: 6,300 Lay's Potato Chip Packets Due to Serious Health Risk

In December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall for Lay’s Classic Potato Chips due to the presence of undeclared milk ingredients in a specific batch. On Monday, the recall was escalated to a "Class I" warning—the agency’s most severe risk classification—signaling that consuming the affected product could potentially be fatal.

Details of the Recall:

The recall involves over 6,300 bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips, each weighing 13 ounces. These chips may contain undisclosed milk, which poses a serious health risk to individuals with dairy allergies. A Class I recall designation means that there is a “reasonable probability” that consuming or coming into contact with the affected product could result in severe health complications or even death, as reported by USA Today.

States Affected by the Lay’s Recall:

The recalled potato chips were distributed across Washington and Oregon and were available for purchase starting November 3, 2024. According to Frito-Lay, the company responsible for the product, the affected chips have since been pulled from stores. The FDA initially issued an alert on December 16 after receiving a consumer complaint about the undeclared milk.

Frito-Lay’s Response:

Frito-Lay released a statement emphasizing the risks for individuals with milk allergies:

“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 company also clarified that the recall was conducted in collaboration with the FDA when the issue was first identified in December. The affected products were only distributed in two states, and all recalled items have been removed from the market.

The FDA urges customers who may have purchased the recalled chips from retail stores or online platforms to dispose of them immediately.

Understanding Milk Allergies:

According to the Mayo Clinic, a true milk allergy is different from lactose intolerance or milk protein intolerance. Unlike an intolerance, which primarily causes digestive issues, a milk allergy triggers an immune system response.

Symptoms of a milk allergy may include:

• Wheezing

• Vomiting

• Coughing or difficulty breathing

• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat

• Itching or tingling sensations around the mouth

• Hives or skin rashes

In severe cases, a milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that severely impairs breathing.

Escalation of the Recall:

Initially, the FDA recalled the product in December after confirming the presence of undeclared milk. As reported by Fortune, the recall was limited to Washington and Oregon and did not impact other regions.

However, the FDA has now upgraded the recall to Class I, the highest risk level. This means that consuming or even coming into contact with these chips could lead to serious health consequences or fatal allergic reactions.

How to Identify the Affected Lay’s Chips:

Consumers who purchased Lay’s Classic Potato Chips should check their packaging. The recalled bags have:

• UPC Code: 28400 31041

• “Guaranteed Fresh” date: February 11, 2025

• Manufacturing codes: 6462307xx or 6463307xx

If you have a bag that matches these details, the safest course of action is to discard it immediately.

References:

1. Frito-Lay. "Product Recall: Lay’s Classic 13oz." PepsiCo Contact Center, February 2025. https://contact.pepsico.com/fritolay/article/product-recall-lays-classic-13oz.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)