Soy Allergen Recall: J. HIGGS Bacon‑and‑Cheddar Chips Pulled from Save A Lot Shelves

On Friday the FDA sounded the alarm: two batches of J. HIGGS brand loaded bacon and cheddar potato chips are being pulled from the market because they may contain soy that isn’t listed on the label. If you bought these crunchy snacks at a Save A Lot in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio or Maryland, you’re among the people the agency is asking to check their pantry right away.

The recalled product carries UPC 0‑51933‑31645‑4 and comes in 7.75‑ounce bags with best‑by dates of December 11, 2026 or December 18, 2026. The problem isn’t a stray crumb or a broken seal – it’s an undeclared soy allergen that could trigger serious reactions for anyone with a soy sensitivity.

So far, the FDA says there have been no reports of injuries or illnesses linked to these chips. Still, the warning is clear: anyone who knows they’re allergic to soy should treat these chips as a potential danger and either discard them or bring them back to the store for a full refund.

Consumers who have the product can return it to the original Save A Lot location for a refund, or they can call Saratoga Potato Chips LLC at 1‑260‑969‑0066 for more information. The company says the recall was initiated after an internal review uncovered the soy ingredient.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Earlier this year the FDA also recalled So Delicious Dairy‑Free® Salted Caramel Cluster frozen desserts over concerns about foreign‑material contamination. And throughout 2026, a string of food‑borne illness alerts – from salmonella in eggs to cyclospora in fresh produce – has kept the public on high alert.

“Large companies distribute enormous amounts of food, so problems involving those products are more likely to be detected,” explained Keith Schneider, a food‑safety professor at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. In other words, the sheer volume of chips shipped to a chain like Save A Lot means any mistake is easier to spot, not necessarily that the brand is less safe than a small‑scale producer.

The FDA’s list of nine major allergens – eggs, milk, fish, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, sesame and tree nuts – still guides labeling laws across the United States. Undeclared allergens, however, remain a leading cause of recalls because they can turn a simple snack into a life‑threatening situation within minutes of consumption.

If you experience symptoms such as hives, swelling of the lips or throat, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or dizziness after eating any food you suspect might contain soy, seek medical attention immediately. Those reactions can progress to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially fatal response that requires prompt treatment.

In short, if you have a soy allergy and see J. HIGGS bacon‑and‑cheddar chips on your shelf, toss them. It’s a small inconvenience compared with the risk of a serious allergic reaction, and you’ll be doing your part to keep the recall effective and protect fellow shoppers.