Frito-Lay has issued a recall of select Lay’s Classic Potato Chips due to the potential presence of undeclared milk, which experts say can be a serious health risk to those battling milk allergies.

Milk allergy is an atypical immune system response to milk and products containing milk. Experts say it is one of the most common food allergies in children.

A report released by the US Food and Drug Administration said the affected bags of chips have a guaranteed fresh date of February 11, 2025, and the manufacturing codes 6462307xx or 6463307xx. Media reports say the chips were distributed in Oregon and Washington through retail stores and online distributors.

Consumers may have purchased them starting in early November.

Frito-Lay has clarified that no other products from the company are impacted by the recall.

Doctors say milk allergies can cause an allergic reaction in your body, which is a response to an allergen.

If you have a milk allergy, your body responds by creating immunoglobulin E (IgE) after your first exposure to milk. IgE are antibodies your immune system makes. Your body makes many different types of IgE, which target specific kinds of allergens. IgE antibodies bind to mast cells in your skin, respiratory tract, and heart. When they encounter milk proteins, they release histamine. Histamine is what causes your allergy symptoms.

IgE reactions happen quickly after ingesting milk. Reactions may include anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction that may cause death. Milk is one of the most common triggers for a non-IgE reaction in babies. Most non-IgE food allergies, including milk aren’t life-threatening.

Doctors say signs of milk allergy would begin immediately within minutes of ingestion, a few of which include:

• Hives
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Itching
• Tingling or swelling of your lips, tongue or throat
• Chest tightness
• Breathlessness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Wheezing
• Dizziness
• Drop in blood pressure
• Loss of consciousness

What causes a milk allergy?

If you have a milk allergy, proteins in milk can cause your immune system to overreact. There are two main types of protein in milk:

It is a byproduct of milk when it spoils and curdles. Casein is also found in cheese and yogurt. It accounts for about 80 per cent of the protein in milk, and it gives milk its white colour.

Whey is a byproduct of the liquid part of milk when it curdles and accounts for 20 per cent of the protein in milk.

You may be allergic to one or both of the proteins.

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