Importance Score: 25 / 100 🔵
Frito-Lay Issues Recall for Tostitos Tortilla Chips Over Undeclared Allergen
Snack food producer Frito-Lay has announced a voluntary recall of nearly 1,300 bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips due to potential contamination with milk, an undeclared allergen.
Affected Distribution Area
The affected tortilla chips were distributed to retail stores across a significant portion of the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, encompassing 13 states:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Product Concern: Milk Allergen
The recall specifically involves 13-ounce bags of yellow corn tortilla chips. It is possible that these bags may contain nacho cheese flavored tortilla chips instead, a variety that includes milk as an ingredient. This poses a risk for individuals with milk allergies or sensitivities.
Identifying Recalled Products
Consumers who have purchased Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips should check for the following information to determine if their product is subject to the recall:
- “Guaranteed Fresh” Date: 20 MAY 2025
- Manufacturing Codes (one of the following):
- 471106504 18 13:XX
- 471106505 85 13:XX
- 471106506 85 13:XX
- 471106507 85 13:XX
Frito-Lay’s Statement on the Recall
In an official statement, Frito-Lay emphasized the potential hazard for those with milk allergies: “Individuals with a milk allergy or severe milk sensitivity could face a serious allergic reaction, possibly life-threatening, if they consume the recalled tortilla chips.”
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Prevalence of Milk Allergies
Milk allergies are a relatively widespread concern in the population. It is estimated that approximately 4.7 percent of people in the United States are affected by milk allergies. This condition is more frequently observed in children, many of whom eventually outgrow the allergy as they age.
Previous Milk Allergen Recall by Frito-Lay
This is not the first instance of a milk-related recall for Frito-Lay. The company issued a similar recall in December following a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determination that Lay’s Classic Potato Chips, distributed in Oregon and Washington, might contain undeclared milk.
Industry Context and Recall Impact
Frito-Lay is a major force in the snack food industry, generating annual revenues of around $29 billion. The company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, has clarified that this recall is limited to a small segment of its overall product portfolio.
Product Availability and Recall Timeline
The tortilla chips in question were initially available for purchase starting on March 7 and have been on sale for several weeks through various retail channels. These include supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, and online marketplaces.
Safety for Non-Allergic Consumers
For consumers without milk allergies, the mislabeled bags of tortilla chips do not pose a health risk. Both Frito-Lay and the FDA have confirmed that there is no indication of any other contaminants, such as harmful chemicals or foreign materials, in the recalled products.
Milk as a Common Undeclared Allergen
The presence of undeclared milk is a frequent trigger for food recalls in the industry.
Analysis of Allergen-Related Recalls
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2012) examined food recalls related to allergens between 2005 and 2019. The findings indicated that these types of recalls occurred between 64 and 87 times annually, with milk being the most frequently cited undeclared allergen, accounting for 43 percent of cases.
Severity of Previous Recall
The December recall of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips, involving 6,300 bags in two states, was classified by the FDA as a Class 1 recall. This is the most serious category, signifying “a reasonable probability that use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”