
Last month, we reported Lays potato chips are on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recall list. The classic brand of chips was recalled for potential or undeclared milk allergen.
The chips are now elevated to Class I, the highest risk level, meaning consuming these chips could cause life-threatening reactions.
Here’s why Lays potato chips are considered dangerous to eat for those with serious food allergies.
What does a Class 1 recall mean?
According to the FDA, a Class 1 classification is a scenario where there’s a significant likelihood that using or being exposed to a non-compliant product will result in severe health outcomes or even death.
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration announced a recall for a small batch of 13 oz. bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips due to concerns of undeclared milk.
No other Lay’s products, flavors, sizes, or variety packs are affected by this recall.
What can cause an undeclared food allergen?
According to the University of of Georgia Extension Food Science and Technology, undeclared allergens can happen in the following ways:
- Mislabeling of products or allergen cross contact during processing.
- Incorrect label is put on a food package and sold, or an allergen is not declared in an ingredient statement.
- Factories that produce various products run the risk of cross-contaminating allergens into unintended items.
- For example, a product containing wheat can be run after a gluten free product on the same line, but not before a gluten free product without the line being closed, thoroughly cleaned and tested for allergenic food residue post-cleaning.
What should customers do if they have a recalled product in their home?
According to the FDA, If consumers have an allergy or sensitivity to milk, they should not consume the product and discard it immediately. Frito-Lay has informed the FDA of this action. It’s good to be aware if you recently purchased a recalled product. There are steps to follow if you do have these products in your home. According to FoodSafety.gov, here is what you should do.
- Don’t panic: The majority of food recalls are not directly linked to an outbreak of foodborne illness. Instead, many recalls are initiated due to the potential risk of contamination in the food product. In such cases, food manufacturers often issue a recall as a preventive measure to safeguard consumers.
- Don’t eat the food or consume the drug: To ensure your safety, refrain from consuming any recalled food products. Always prioritize caution over convenience. Additionally, please refrain from donating the recalled food to food banks or providing it to your pets, as they are also susceptible to food poisoning.
- Don’t open the food: To prevent foodborne illnesses, refrain from opening and inspecting food. Bacteria and viruses responsible for such illnesses are invisible, odorless, and tasteless. If you do handle the product, ensure you thoroughly cleanse your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds afterward.
- Check the recall notice to find out what to do with the food: Upon a food product recall by a manufacturer, specific instructions are provided regarding the product’s handling. These instructions generally entail one of the following actions: Return the product to the original store of purchase for a refund. Safely dispose of the product to prevent consumption by humans or animals, particularly if the product has been opened.