 "Crunch time: Why the US is recalling Lay’s ‘Classic’ potato chips")
Frito-Lay, the company behind Lay’s chips, issued a limited recall on Monday in two states of the United States.
An alert from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pointed out the presence of an undeclared allergen.
In the alert published on Wednesday, the packaged goods company said the bag of chips “may contain undeclared milk” that could trigger an allergic reaction.
Here’s all we know about it.
What do we know about the Lay’s Classic chips recall?
Frito-Lay has recalled 6,344 13-ounce packets of Lay’s “Classic” flavour, which comes in yellow packaging, sold in Oregon and Washington.
Although voluntary, the recall was made “after being alerted through a consumer contact.”
The chips were made available for purchase as early as November 3 and were distributed through stores and online distributors in Oregon and Washington.
The chips come in a flexible bag with a production code of 6462307xx or 6463307xx and a guaranteed fresh date of February 11, 2025. The code 28400 31041 is the UPC.
The guaranteed fresh date and one of the manufacturer codes must be present on the recalled chips.
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Why have the products been recalled?
As per the alert, the popular chip brand has an undeclared allergy that is either milk or other dairy-related allergen.
“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 alert said.
The FDA website declared the company as saying, “The product included in this recall was distributed to certain retail stores and e-commerce distributors in Oregon and Washington. No allergic reactions related to this matter have been reported to date. No other Lay’s products, flavours, sizes, or variety packs are recalled."
Following an assessment of the health risks by its scientists, the FDA is expected to classify the recall.
Recalls are categorised into three levels according to the risk of the product. The most serious recall is a Class I recall, which occurs when consuming the affected item may result in fatalities or major health issues.
Class II is given when a product might pose a minor risk or create a short-term health problem.
The least serious tier, Class III, is where a product is unlikely to cause health problems but still breaches FDA labelling or manufacturing requirements.
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What to do if one has the recalled chips?
The alert stated that the product should not be consumed by anyone who could be allergic to or sensitive to milk.
Frito-Lay is advising those who might have the recalled chips to discard them out immediately.
One can get in touch with Frito-Lay Consumer Relations if they have any queries or worries regarding this recall.
Under US law, businesses are required to provide a refund or a replacement in these situations. However, it remained unclear at the time this article was written what Frito-Lay’s next move would be.
Frito-Lay, Inc. is a PepsiCo company that produces, distributes, and markets potato chips, corn chips, and other snack foods.
“We also recommend visiting PepsiCo Product Facts to check out ingredient labels. On PepsiCo Product Facts, you are able to filter by brand to find which Lay’s® products and flavours are gluten free,” the FAQ section on the Lays website said.
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What is a milk allergy?
According to the Mayo Clinic, consuming a product that contains milk is usually the cause of a milk allergy.
The healthcare company states that while cow’s milk is typically the source of milk allergies, other mammals’ milk, such as of sheep, goats, and buffalo, can also result in an adverse reaction.
Furthermore, there are some differences between milk intolerance and allergies.
“A true milk allergy differs from milk protein intolerance and lactose intolerance,” Mayo Clinic said. “Unlike milk allergy, intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system. Milk intolerance requires different treatment from true milk allergy.”
Some symptoms of a milk allergy include hives, wheezing, itching or tingling feeling around the lips or mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, coughing or shortness of breath, vomiting and digestive problems.
Anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction that constricts the airways and can prevent breathing, can also result from the allergy. If they do not outgrow it, they might have to keep avoiding dairy products.
According to the website, milk is the third most prevalent food that can induce anaphylaxis, behind peanuts and tree nuts.
With inputs from agencies
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