Frito-Lay has initiated a recall for a number of 13-ounce bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips after the product was found to potentially contain nacho cheese-flavored chips, meaning it may contain an undeclared allergen.

The Food and Drug Administration has since classified the recall as Class I, meaning “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.”

Why It Matters

Milk is a major allergen under federal labeling laws, and its accidental presence in food products poses a critical risk to allergic consumers. According to Food Allergy Research and Education, milk is the second most common food allergy in the U.S., with 6.2 million Americans estimated to have the allergy.

Allergic reactions can cause symptoms such as hives, skin rashes, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and respiratory issues such as coughing or wheezing. In severe cases, a reaction called anaphylaxis may occur, which can involve throat swelling, a sudden drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness.

What To Know

The recall, initiated on March 26, affects 1,295 bags of the 13-ounce Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips, which were distributed across 13 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

The chips were available for purchase at grocery, drug and convenience stores and through online retailers from March 7.

The affected packages can be identified by the UPC 28400 52848, a “Guaranteed Fresh” date of May 20, 2025, and one of several specific manufacturing codes.

Consumers are advised to check packaging for any of the following codes, with “XX” representing numbers from 30 to 55:

Frito-Lay initiated the recall as a precautionary measure, and no allergic reactions or illnesses have been reported to date. Consumers with dairy allergies are advised not to consume the product.

A stock image of a bowl of tortilla chips. A stock image of a bowl of tortilla chips. Steve Parsons/Press Association via AP

What People Are Saying

Frito-Lay told Newsweek in a statement: “A limited number of 13 oz. bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips are being recalled as they could include nacho cheese tortilla chips, and therefore may contain an undeclared milk allergen. Less than 1,300 bags of impacted products were for sale in stores in 13 states (Ala., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Ky., Miss., N.C., Ohio, S.C., Tenn., Va., W. Va.) and across digital channels since March 7. Consumers can view the full press release on the Frito-Lay Contact Us page to see if their product is impacted by this recall. Unless a consumer has a dairy allergy or sensitivity to milk, this product is safe to consume.”

Clinton Mathias, an associate professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut, told Newsweek: “Cow’s milk allergy is the most common allergy affecting infants and children in the U.S. It is estimated that about 0.5-3 percent of children under the age of 3 have experienced allergy to milk proteins. While most children, between 40 and 57 percent, outgrow allergy to milk by school age, it is still among the most common food allergies in adults, with about 1.9 percent of adults reporting allergies to milk.

He added: “Symptoms of allergy to cow’s milk can vary from person to person, with some people experiencing mild symptoms such as hives and others exhibiting severe reactions such as anaphylaxis. Other symptoms of milk allergy can include vomiting, diarrhea, rectal bleed, lethargy, etc.

“Since milk allergy can lead to severe anaphylaxis and death in some people, and considering the unpredictability of reactions from person to person, it is best for allergic individuals to avoid exposure to milk proteins.”

What Happens Next

Consumers with milk allergies who are in possession of the affected chips should discard them immediately. Those with questions can contact Frito-Lay through its website or call 1-800-352-4477 Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central time.