The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded the recall of Frito-Lay Tostitos to Class I, as they represent a potential health risk, even death, due to an undeclared allergen on the packaging.
The recall began on March 26, after it was reported that approximately 1,300 bags of Frito-Lay Tostitos contained nacho cheese corn chips with undeclared milk in the packaging, which could pose a health risk to individuals allergic to this ingredient.
Which Frito-Lay Tostitos chips were recalled?
The recall concerns the 355g Tostitos Cantina chips. The recalled product has a “freshness guarantee” date of May 20, 2025, and a manufacturing code ending in any number between 30 and 55. According to the company, the recall does not affect any other Tostitos products.
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Where were the recalled Frito-Lay Tostitos chips sold?
The recalled Tostitos bags were sold in retail stores and online in 13 states:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
What should I do if I purchased the recalled Tostitos chips?
According to Frito-Lay, consumers who purchased the affected product and have a milk allergy or any concerns can contact the customer service line at 800-352-4477 during business hours, from 10 AM to 5:30 PM (Eastern Time).
What is a Class I recall?
The FDA classifies product recalls into three classes based on the potential danger they pose to consumers. The highest is Class I, which occurs when there is a reasonable probability that the use of the violative product or exposure to it will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
In this case, the procedure is as follows:
- The company issuing the recall notifies its customers and urges them to inform the intended recipients of the product.
- The notification typically includes the name of the recalled product, batch or serial numbers, the reason for the recall, a brief explanation of the associated risk, and instructions on how to correct, avoid, or minimize the issue. A phone number for further questions about the recall is also provided.
- The company issues a press release to inform the public, if applicable, to minimize public health consequences.
The other two recall classifications are:
- Class II recall: A situation where the use of the violative product or exposure to it may cause temporary or clinically reversible health consequences, or where there is a remote probability of causing serious adverse health consequences.
- Class III recall: A situation where the use of the violative product or exposure to it is not likely to cause any adverse health consequences.
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Symptoms of a milk allergy
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of a milk allergy vary by person, but there are some common signs that appear shortly after consuming dairy products. Symptoms may include:
- Hives
- Wheezing
- Itching or tingling around the lips or mouth
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Coughing or difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- Loose stools or diarrhea, which may contain blood
- Abdominal cramps
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Colic (in infants)
How dangerous is a milk allergy?
In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, a milk allergy can also trigger anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that causes the airways to narrow and may make breathing difficult.
