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RetailRecalls

FDA reclassifies Lay’s potato chips recall to the highest risk level, warning the chips could cause ‘serious adverse health consequences or death’

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
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By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 29, 2025, 11:53 AM ET
The FDA has upgraded the recall on Lay's potato chips in two Northwestern states.
The FDA has upgraded the recall on Lay's potato chips in two Northwestern states. Richard Levine/Corbis via Getty Images
  • The FDA has raised the risk level on a recall of Lay’s potato chips to the highest level, warning the recalled product could cause death. The chips were originally recalled last month for containing undeclared milk. The recall is not nationwide and only affects a limited number of bags distributed in Oregon and Washington.

All bets aside, you might want to avoid eating even just one Lay’s potato chip if you’ve got a milk allergy.

The Food and Drug Administration has upgraded the recall of more than 6,300 of the popular snack food’s 13-ounce bags to Class I, the most severe risk level. That means the FDA sees a “reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

The chips were originally recalled last month for containing undeclared milk, which could cause an allergic reaction for some people. The recall is not for all chips, just batches that were distributed in Washington and Oregon and went on sale last November.

Lays, which is owned by PepsiCo, is encouraging people who might have those chips to discard them immediately.

Affected bags have the UPC code 28400 31041 and carry a “Guaranteed Fresh” date of 11 FEB 2025. They also will have one of the following manufacturing codes: 6462307xx or 6463307xx.

A milk allergy is much different from someone whose body is intolerant to dairy products. Those who suffer from it who ingest milk can exhibit symptoms including hives, swelling of the lips, tongue and mouth, shortness of breath, vomiting, and more.

It can also cause anaphylaxis, which obstructs breathing, which is why the FDA has raised it to the highest risk level.

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

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