Some Media Headlines on Recalls Do Nothing More than Cause Confusion and Fear

Reading the daily headlines, I find that these new releases for recalls are just over the top.  Today, an article titled Why Lay’s Potato Chip Recall Was Elevated To FDA’s Deadliest Category was published in Forbes online.  To read this, you are thinking that these are some truly dangerous chips.  But then when actually read the article, you realize this is an milk allergen issue (and there were people affected) with the recall occurring over a month (Dec 18, 2024) ago and that product's distribution was limited to Oregon and Washington state.

As the recall category be classified Class 1, this is more of just an administrative function that sometimes takes longer to get applied.  So not like FDA had a revelation a month later.

From the FSPCA manual, Preventive Controls for Human Foods

Recalls are actions taken by a facility to remove a product from the market that may be adulterated, misbranded, or violate regulations in some way. In other words, a product for which the FDA or a state could take legal action against the facility would be subject to a recall. It is important to note that a recall is different from a market withdrawal and stock recovery. In a market withdrawal, it is the  company’s removal or correction of a distributed product which involves a minor violation that would not be subject to legal action by the FDA, or which involves no violation. A stock recovery is when the company corrects or removes a product where that product has not left direct control of the facility.

 The numerical designation (i.e., I, II, or III) [is] assigned by FDA to a particular product recall to indicate the relative degree of health hazard presented by the product being recalled (FDA Hazard Guide, Chapter 14, 2018).

(1) Class I is 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 (21 CFR 7.3(m)(1));

(2) Class II is a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or

medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious health

consequences is remote (21 CFR 7.3(m)(2)); and

(3) Class III is a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product is not likely to cause illness or injury (21 CFR 7.3(m)(3)).

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniegravalese/2025/01/28/why-lays-potato-chip-recall-was-elevated-to-fdas-deadliest-category/
Forbes
Why Lay’s Potato Chip Recall Was Elevated To FDA’s Deadliest Category

By Stephanie Gravalese, Contributor.

Lay’s potato chips, a pantry staple, are now the latest product under a serious FDA recall. The reason? Undeclared milk—a top food allergen—was found in select bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips. The recall has now been escalated to Class I, the highest risk level, meaning consuming these chips could cause life-threatening reactions.

For most people, a recall like this is an inconvenience. But for those with food allergies, it’s a reminder of the hidden dangers in everyday foods. Recalls don’t just vanish once the products are off the shelves—they leave lasting effects on consumer trust, brand reputation and food safety standards.

What’s The Recall And What Changed?

The Lay’s potato chips recall began on December 13, 2024, when Frito-Lay announced that over 6,000 bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips sold in Oregon and Washington contained undeclared milk. This oversight poses a life-threatening risk to individuals with milk allergies.

On Jan. 27, 2025, the FDA escalated the recall to Class I, its most serious classification. For consumers with allergies, this designation is more than a warning—it’s a stark reminder of the stakes involved in food safety.

Imagine reaching for a trusted snack, only to find it could harm you—or worse. For Lay’s, this mistake ripples far beyond product shelves, challenging the brand’s reputation and trustworthiness.