Doritos Chips Recalled After Major Ingredient Mix-Up, FDA Warns
Your favorite snack could put your health at risk thanks to undeclared allergens.
Whether you're packing them in your basket for a picnic or keep them stacked in your pantry, chips are a classic go-to snack. But if you're a fan of Doritos, you'll want to double-check your supply. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just alerted consumers to a new recall impacting certain bags of the beloved brand. Read on to find out more about how an ingredient mix-up could put some consumers' health at risk.
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The FDA is warning consumers about a new food recall.
In an Aug. 1 press release posted on the FDA site, Frito-Lay announced a "voluntary recall" of some of its Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips.
The affected chips may come in one of two sizes: the individual size, which is 1 ounce, or the party size, which is 14.5 ounces. The 1-ounce bags have a Universal Product Code (UPC) of 0 28400 09089 6, while the 14.5-ounce bags have a UPC of 0 28400 51779 9.
"No other Frito-Lay or Doritos products, flavors, sizes, or variety packs are recalled," the company noted in its announcement.
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The recalled Doritos chips were only distributed in one state.
Doritos are widely enjoyed by people across the U.S., so there's a good chance you have a bag on-hand. But Frito-Lay said it is only recalling a "limited number" of the brand's Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips right now. Less than 7,000 bags have been affected, according to the company's announcement.
Most importantly, the recall only covers products distributed in Pennsylvania. The affected Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips were sold at retail stores throughout the state, and also distributed at food service locations and vending machines.
"Consumers would have been able to purchase the chips as early as June 29, 2023," Frito-Lay stated.
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There was potential ingredient contamination.
As part of the recall, Frito-Lay is issuing an allergy alert on the affected Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips, which were potentially contaminated with two undeclared allergens. These chips "may contain undeclared soy and wheat ingredients from spicy sweet chili tortilla chips," the announcement explained.
Soy and wheat are considered to be two of the eight major food allergens under the 2004 Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), per the FDA.
"At the time of FALCPA's passage, the eight major allergens accounted for 90 percent of food allergies and serious allergic reactions in the U.S.," the agency explains on its website. "FALCPA requires that foods or ingredients that contain a 'major food allergen' be specifically labeled with the name of the allergen source."
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Certain people are being asked not to eat the recalled chips.
Due to the ingredient mix-up, some people may face health risks when eating the recalled Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips.
"Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy or wheat run the risk of illness should they consume these products," Frito-Lay warned in its announcement.
Symptoms of a food allergy can appear anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours after a person has eaten something they're allergic to, according to the FDA. These may include hives, flushed skin, rash, tingling or itching in the mouth, face, tongue, or lip swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, coughing, wheezing, dizziness, lightheadedness, swelling of the throat and vocal cords, difficulty breathing, and/or loss of consciousness.
Frito-Lay said it has not yet received any reports of allergic reactions related to the recalled Doritos chips. Still, those with allergies are being asked not to eat them because of the potential risks.
"If consumers have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy or wheat, they should not consume the product and discard it immediately," the company stated in its recall announcement.
