Target has issued a voluntary recall of certain Up & Up branded baby wipes due to potential contamination concerns. The affected products include both Fragrance-Free and Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes, which have been removed from store shelves following customer complaints and subsequent testing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that detected traces of bacteria.
The FDA’s notice, issued on June 5, highlighted reports from customers experiencing symptoms such as skin and eye irritation, as well as infections linked to the use of these wipes. Some users also noted discoloration in the products. The contamination involves noted bacteria strains, specifically Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioi, which can pose serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like newborns and young children.
These bacteria are opportunistic pathogens that can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening infections, including sepsis and pneumonia, if they enter the bloodstream. Infants, with their developing immune systems, are especially at risk, making the recall critical for public safety.
In light of these findings, the retailer has advised customers to “immediately stop” using the recalled products and return them to any Target location for a full refund. The wipes were manufactured by Sapro Temizlik Urunleri in Turkey and were sold both in-store and online at Target.com.
Affected consumers can identify the recalled wipes through their packaging, which includes specific Universal Product Codes (UPCs) for various sizes:
For Up & Up Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes:
- 20-count package (UPC: 085239265956)
- 72-count package (UPC: 085239265949)
- 16-count package (UPC: 085239265963)
- 800-count package (UPC: 085239266137)
- 200-count package (UPC: 085239266090)
For Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes:
- 72-count package (UPC: 085239265970)
- 16-count package (UPC: 085239265994)
- 800-count package (UPC: 085239265987)
The FDA and Target are continuing to investigate the issue. Customers with additional questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Target Guest Relations at 1-800-440-0680, available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT.
