The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently heightened the urgency surrounding a recall of 6,344 bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips, warning of potentially severe health consequences connected to undeclared milk in the product. The recall, which initially began last month, affects consumers in Oregon and Washington.
The initial announcement by Frito-Lay identified these 13-ounce bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips due to concerns that they could contain “undeclared milk.” Following an evaluation of the health risks, the FDA has now classified this recall as a Class I, the highest level of severity, indicating a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or even fatalities for those with milk allergies or sensitivities.
Consumers who purchased these chips as early as November 3, 2024, in the affected states are advised to check their pantries closely. The identified bags carry a “guaranteed fresh” date of February 11, 2025, along with manufacturing codes 6462307xx or 6463307xx.
While the ramifications of this recall are significant for individuals with milk allergies—one of the eight major food allergens identified by the 2004 Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act—no other Lay’s products, flavors, or varieties have been included in the recall.
Despite the heightened alert from the FDA, the agency has not reported any illnesses or allergic reactions linked to the recalled chips as of the latest update. The increased caution may be partly attributed to shifts in FDA procedures following recent federal health communication guidelines, which have impacted the agency's outreach efforts during this time.
As consumers remain vigilant, health officials encourage those affected to stay informed about product recalls to mitigate potential health risks associated with food allergens.
