Health authorities have issued an urgent warning over potato chips that may have undeclared deadly allergens.
Frito-Lay has voluntarily recalled its 8oz bags of Miss Vickie’s Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips because they may contain jalapeno-flavored chips, which contain milk not declared on the ingredient label.
The hidden ingredient poses a serious threat to the millions of Americans with milk allergies, with reactions ranging from mild symptoms like hives and swelling to anaphylaxis, a potentially deadly condition that can cause difficulty breathing.
‘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,’ the FDA said in its warning notice.
‘This product is safe to consume for anyone who does not have a dairy allergy or sensitivity to milk.’
The recall includes an unspecified number of 8oz bags of Miss Vickie’s Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips that may have been distributed as early as January 15, 2026, the FDA said.
Products were distributed to a mix of retailers such as grocery, convenience and drug stores, as well as local digital retailers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Frito-Lay said it identified the issue following a customer contact.
Chips sold in six states have been recalled due to the potential presence of undeclared milk (stock image)
No other sizes or flavors of Miss Vickie’s products are recalled, including bags sold in variety packs.
The FDA has also not received any reports of allergic reactions to date.
Recalled products had the UPC 0 28400 761772 listed on the back of the packages.
They also had ‘guaranteed fresh’ dates of April 21, 2026, and one of the following two manufacturing codes: 38U301414 and 48U101514.
The FDA urged customers with an allergy or sensitivity to milk to ‘not consume the product and discard it immediately.’
The recall has not yet been given a classification but may later be labelled at Class I, which refers to ‘a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.’
Symptoms of an allergy include hives, wheezing, coughing, congestion, face and throat swelling and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
Pictured above is an image of the recalled chips
This is a life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs very quickly after being exposed to an allergen.
Experts estimate 150 to 200 Americans die from allergen-induced anaphylaxis every year. It triggers an extreme immune response, leading to dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath and vomiting.
If not treated quickly with epinephrine (adrenaline), which can be administered via injection like an EpiPen or nasal spray, a person can die.
About 6 million Americans, or two percent of the population, have an allergy to cow’s milk, most of whom are children.
Customers with questions about the recall can visit Miss Vickie’s Contact Us page or call 1-877-984-2543.
