Urgent Alert: 5 Critical Things You Must Know About The Lay's Potato Chip Class I Recall

The safety of your favorite snack is currently under the highest level of scrutiny, following a major, high-risk recall involving Lay's Classic Potato Chips. As of today, December 15, 2025, consumers are strongly urged to check their pantries for specific bags of the popular snack product that have been identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class I health hazard. This recall, which originated in December 2024, involves an undeclared allergen—milk—that poses a life-threatening risk, particularly to individuals with severe milk allergies or sensitivities.

This is not a minor advisory; the FDA has elevated the Frito-Lay recall to its most serious classification, Class I, meaning there is a reasonable probability that consumption of the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The issue stems from a limited number of 13-ounce bags of Lay's Classic Potato Chips that were inadvertently filled with a different, milk-containing product. Understanding the exact product identifiers—including the specific UPC and manufacturing codes—is essential to protect your family and ensure no recalled bags remain in circulation.

The Urgent Details of the Class I Recall: What and Why

The Frito-Lay recall centers on a limited quantity of Lay's Classic Potato Chips bags that were distributed across multiple states. The core problem is the presence of an undeclared milk ingredient, which is one of the most common and dangerous food allergens. For the general consumer, this may seem insignificant, but for the millions of Americans with a severe milk allergy, accidental ingestion can trigger a severe, potentially fatal anaphylactic reaction.

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The severity of the risk is why the FDA issued a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall action. This designation is reserved for situations where consuming the product is highly likely to cause serious illness or death. Frito-Lay, the parent company, initiated the voluntary limited recall immediately upon discovering the packaging error, but the regulatory upgrade underscores the critical need for public awareness and action.

The affected products were initially available for purchase as early as November 3, 2024. Frito-Lay acted quickly to remove the products from store shelves, but consumers who purchased the chips around that time and stored them in their homes are the ones now most at risk.

Key Entities Involved in the Recall

• Manufacturer: Frito-Lay (a division of PepsiCo).
• Recalled Product: Lay's Classic Potato Chips.
• Affected Size: 13-ounce (368.5 grams) flexible bags.
• The Allergen: Undeclared Milk.
• Regulatory Authority: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Recall Classification: Class I (Highest Risk).

How to Check Your Lay's Classic Bag: The Specific Codes

Identifying the recalled product is straightforward but requires checking specific codes located on the bag. Consumers should not rely on the Lay's Classic branding alone, as only a small subset of the production run is affected. You must check both the "Guaranteed Fresh" date and the "Manufacturing Code."

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The affected bags are 13-ounce packages of Lay's Classic Potato Chips with the following identifiers:

The Critical Product Identification Details

To determine if your bag is part of the high-risk recall, locate the "Guaranteed Fresh" date and the 9-digit manufacturing code on the front of the bag, near the top right corner.

• Guaranteed Fresh Date: 11 FEB 2025
• UPC Code: 28400 31041 (located on the back of the bag)
• Manufacturing Codes: Any bag featuring one of the following 9-digit codes:
  • 6462307xx
  • 6463307xx

Note: The "xx" represents any two-digit number. If your bag has the "Guaranteed Fresh" date of 11 FEB 2025 and the manufacturing code starts with either 6462307 or 6463307, it must be disposed of immediately.

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Understanding the Risk: Undeclared Milk and Class I Status

The core of this recall is the undeclared milk allergen. Milk is a common ingredient in many snack foods, but its absence on the ingredient label of a product like Lay's Classic Potato Chips—which is typically dairy-free—is what creates the serious hazard. The contamination occurred because the chips were likely packaged incorrectly, potentially containing a different flavor or product that includes milk-based ingredients.

For individuals with a milk allergy, exposure can lead to a range of symptoms, from mild hives and digestive issues to severe anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a sudden, life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause the airways to swell and close, leading to death if not treated immediately with epinephrine.

Why the FDA Issued a Class I Upgrade

The FDA's decision to elevate the recall to Class I emphasizes the potential for severe health outcomes. A Class I recall is a rare and extreme measure, highlighting that this is not a quality issue but a direct public health threat to a specific, vulnerable population. The volume of recalled product (over 6,000 bags were initially identified) and the potential for wide distribution across multiple states further justified the highest risk level.

Fortunately, as of the initial recall announcement, Frito-Lay reported no allergic reactions had been confirmed in relation to the recalled chips. However, the lack of reported illness does not diminish the potential risk, and the proactive recall is a measure to prevent any future adverse events.

What to Do If You Have the Recalled Chips

If you have identified a bag of Lay's Classic Potato Chips with the matching codes, do not eat the product, even if you do not have a milk allergy. The recommended course of action is to immediately dispose of the chips to prevent accidental consumption by someone who may be allergic.

Consumers who purchased the recalled product are entitled to a refund. You should contact Frito-Lay Consumer Relations directly for instructions on how to receive a reimbursement.

This incident serves as a crucial reminder for all consumers, especially those with food allergies, to always double-check product labels and stay informed about ongoing food safety recalls. The prompt action by Frito-Lay and the FDA's serious classification are designed to protect public health, making consumer vigilance the final and most critical step in this safety process.