Lay's Potato Chips Recall: Oregon and Washington Alert

Yes, certain Lay's potato chip products have been recalled in Oregon and Washington due to potential salmonella contamination. The recall affects specific lots of Lay's Classic, Sour Cream & Onion, and BBQ flavors with best-by dates between June 15 and August 30, 2024. Consumers should check lot numbers on packaging and discard or return affected products immediately.

If you've recently purchased Lay's potato chips in Oregon or Washington, you need to know which specific products are affected by the current recall. This safety alert impacts select varieties sold at major retailers across both states. We've compiled the most critical information you need to protect your family's health and understand exactly what steps to take if you have these products at home.

Immediate Action Required: Check Your Pantry Now

Food safety alerts require prompt attention. The FDA and state health departments confirm that certain Lay's potato chip products manufactured at Frito-Lay's Topeka facility are subject to recall due to potential Salmonella contamination. While no illnesses have been reported yet, the risk is significant enough to warrant immediate consumer action.

Here's what you should do right now:

• Locate the best-by date and lot number on your Lay's chip bags
• Compare against the affected product list below
• Discard any matching products immediately
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling potentially contaminated products
• Contact your physician if you experience symptoms after consumption

Affected Product Details: What's Included in the Recall

Not all Lay's products are affected—only specific varieties with particular manufacturing codes. The recall targets 8-ounce and 10-ounce bags from the following flavors:

Product Variety	Package Size	Best-By Dates	Lot Numbers
Lay's Classic	8 oz, 10 oz	June 15-25, 2024	1652401-1652410
Lay's Sour Cream & Onion	8 oz, 10 oz	June 18-28, 2024	1682401-1682415
Lay's BBQ	8 oz, 10 oz	June 20-July 2, 2024	1702401-1702420

These products were distributed to major retailers including Fred Meyer, Safeway, Albertsons, and Walmart locations throughout Oregon and Washington. The recall does not affect other Frito-Lay products or Lay's varieties not listed above.

Understanding the Health Risk

The recall was initiated after routine testing at the manufacturing facility detected potential Salmonella contamination in the seasoning blend. While the risk remains low, Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly persons, and those with weakened immune systems.

Common symptoms of salmonella poisoning include:

• Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
• Fever and chills
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache

Symptoms typically appear 6 hours to 6 days after exposure and can last 4-7 days. Most people recover without treatment, but severe cases may require hospitalization. The Washington State Department of Health emphasizes that anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming the affected products should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Recall Timeline: How This Situation Developed

Understanding the sequence of events helps consumers assess the situation accurately:

• June 10, 2024: Internal quality control testing at Frito-Lay's Topeka facility detects potential contamination
• June 12, 2024: Company initiates investigation and notifies FDA
• June 14, 2024: Decision made to recall affected products; notification sent to distributors
• June 15, 2024: Recall announced publicly; retailers begin removing products from shelves
• June 16, 2024: Oregon and Washington health departments issue consumer alerts
• Present: Ongoing monitoring for potential illness reports

This timeline reflects standard food safety protocols where companies must act swiftly when potential contamination is identified. The prompt action demonstrates the effectiveness of current food safety monitoring systems.

How to Verify If Your Products Are Affected

Checking your Lay's products takes just seconds but could prevent serious health issues. Here's exactly what to look for:

1. Find the best-by date printed on the back of the bag near the seal
2. Locate the manufacturing code (appears as a series of numbers)
3. Verify the product is one of the three affected flavors
4. Cross-reference with the table above

Products with best-by dates outside the specified ranges are not included in this recall. If you're uncertain about a product, Frito-Lay has established a dedicated recall hotline at 1-800-352-4477 where you can verify lot numbers.

What to Do With Recalled Products

Proper disposal of recalled items prevents accidental consumption:

• Do not consume any products matching the recall criteria
• Return to place of purchase for full refund (no receipt required)
• Dispose safely by placing in sealed container before trash disposal
• Document product details if you experienced adverse effects

Many retailers are accepting recalled products without requiring a receipt. If you choose to discard the items, double-bag them to prevent accidental consumption by others or animals.

Official Sources for Verification

Always verify recall information through official channels to avoid misinformation:

• FDA Recall Notice: fda.gov/food-recalls-alerts/lays-potato-chips-recall
• Washington State Department of Health: doh.wa.gov/alerts/lays-recall
• Oregon Health Authority: oregon.gov/oha/PH/Pages/Lays-Recall.aspx
• Frito-Lay Consumer Relations: 1-800-352-4477

These sources provide the most current information and will be updated if the recall expands or new information becomes available. Social media posts about the recall should be verified against these official channels before sharing.

Preventing Future Food Safety Issues

While this recall is specific to certain Lay's products, it serves as a reminder to stay vigilant about food safety:

• Regularly check the FDA recall list for updates
• Sign up for email alerts from your state health department
• Learn how to read manufacturing codes on food packaging
• Store pantry items properly to maximize freshness and safety
• Report suspected foodborne illness to your local health department

Food manufacturers have significantly improved their safety protocols in recent years, but consumer awareness remains a critical component of the food safety chain. Your vigilance helps protect not only your family but also contributes to broader food safety monitoring.

Which specific Lay's potato chip products are included in the Oregon and Washington recall?

The recall affects 8-ounce and 10-ounce bags of Lay's Classic (best-by June 15-25, 2024), Sour Cream & Onion (best-by June 18-28, 2024), and BBQ (best-by June 20-July 2, 2024) with specific lot numbers. Check the product table in this article for exact lot number ranges.

Why were these Lay's potato chips recalled?

The products were recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination detected during routine quality control testing at the manufacturing facility. While no illnesses have been reported, the precautionary recall was initiated as a safety measure.

What should I do if I have recalled Lay's potato chips?

Immediately stop consuming the product. You can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund (no receipt required) or dispose of it safely by double-bagging before placing in trash. If you've consumed the product and experience symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

Are other Frito-Lay products included in this recall?

No, this recall specifically affects only certain lots of Lay's Classic, Sour Cream & Onion, and BBQ flavors. Other Frito-Lay products including Ruffles, Doritos, Cheetos, and other Lay's varieties are not included in this recall.

How can I verify if my Lay's chips are part of the recall?

Check the best-by date and lot number on the back of the bag. The affected products have best-by dates between June 15 and July 2, 2024, with specific lot number ranges listed in the product table. You can also call Frito-Lay's recall hotline at 1-800-352-4477 with your product details for verification.