Chips Urgently Recalled Over Allergen Risk After Seasoning Mix-up

A food company issued a voluntary recall over an apparent mix-up over listing the correct number of potential allergens.

Utz Quality Foods has called back its 2.75 oz. Wavy Original Potato Chips after realizing that it had not declared a milk allergen.

The Pennsylvania-based company, through a recall listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website, said "approximately 1,200 single-serve bags contained" chips flavored with seasoning were affected.

There have been no illnesses reported in connection with the incident. The products "were distributed to retail outlets only in New York State and primarily within New York City." People who have an allergy to milk should avoid eating the products.

Newsweek approached Utz Quality Foods via email out of hours for comment on Saturday.

The key information for the recalled product is:

• Expiration date - May 6, 2024
• Universal Product Code (UPC) - 0-41780-19014-7

Earlier in January, Al Amir Fresh Foods, based in Milwaukie, Oregon, was forced to recall a grilled eggplant dish, yogurt dip and two types of hummus, due to not fully declaring all of the ingredients. Milk and sesame were among those missing.

"People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame or milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products," a company spokesperson said on January 20.

The four products were:

• Classic Hummus Creamy Garbanzo
• Harissa Spicy Hummus With a Kick
• Baba Ghannooj Grilled Eggplant
• Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt

Each of the Al Amir Fresh Foods products were listed as 8 oz. pots with a "best by" date up to January 25.

"The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Al Amir hummus labels declare tahini but do not declare sesame and Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt label declares sour cream & yogurt but does not declare milk," the company said.

"Customers who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame or milk are urged not to consume these products and dispose of it or return it to their place of purchase for a full refund." Newsweek approached the company for further comment via email on Saturday.

Recalls in the food industry are not uncommon, but are issued when a product may be harmful to a person in some way.

This can be due to the wrong ingredients being listed as a product or if consumers are not made aware of potential allergens.

In more-extreme cases, companies will identify harmful bacteria such as salmonella, which can cause food poisoning and, in more serious cases, hospitalization or even death.