Pacific Northwest Lay’s chips recall escalated to FDA’s top threat level

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has escalated its December recall of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips to its most serious risk designation, affecting more than 6,000 bags distributed across the State of Oregon and Washington.

The FDA on Monday, Jan. 27, classified the recall as “Class I,” its highest alert level, indicating potential life-threatening consequences for consumers with milk allergies. The designation comes nearly six weeks after Frito-Lay initially announced the voluntary recall on Dec. 16.

The recall specifically targets 13-ounce bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips with Feb. 11, 2025 expiration dates and manufacturing codes 6462307xx or 6463307xx. According to FDA documentation, approximately 6,344 bags are affected.

“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,” Frito-Lay stated in its December announcement from its Plano, Texas headquarters.

The issue emerged after a consumer alert prompted an investigation. The affected chips have been available in retail stores and online stores since Nov. 3, 2024. Despite the serious classification, Frito-Lay reports no allergic reactions related to the recalled products.

Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act in the U.S., milk is classified as one of nine major food allergens requiring mandatory labeling. The FDA’s Class I designation indicates “reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”