Target recalls Up & Up baby wipes after FDA testing finds potentially harmful bacteria

Target said it is voluntarily recalling select Up & Up baby wipes nationwide after customer complaints about discoloration and subsequent FDA testing identified Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli in product samples. The recall covers two varieties: Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes, sold at Target stores nationwide and. FDA recall announcement.

The FDA notice lists the affected products by size, UPC, and manufacturing/expiration code ranges, rather than recalling the entire line. For example, the fragrance-free option includes 20-count (UPC 085239265956) through 1200-count (UPC 085239266090), while the cucumber-scented wipes include 72-count (UPC 085239265970), 216-count (UPC 085239265994), and 800-count (UPC 085239265987). Target instructed consumers to stop using the recalled wipes and return them to any Target store for a full refund, and provided a Guest Relations number for questions. FDA recall announcement.

In its health-risk language, the FDA said use of products contaminated with the identified Burkholderia organisms may result in serious and life-threatening infections - particularly because the wipes are predominantly used on newborns, infants, and young children. The agency warned that, in healthy individuals, minor skin lesions may lead to more local infections, while in immunocompromised individuals the infection is more likely to spread into the bloodstream, potentially leading to sepsis or pneumonia. FDA recall announcement.

Target also posted the recall on its own consumer-facing “Product recalls” page, listing the Up & Up Fragrance Free and Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes under its most recent recalls. The listing includes the recall date of 6/4/2026, aligning with the FDA-documented announcement timeline. Target product recalls page.

From a business standpoint, the recall highlights the operational and quality-control burden that can come with selling private-label personal-care items: Target said the wipes were produced by a supplier and that the company and the manufacturer, Sapro Temizlik Urunleri, have received consumer complaints and adverse event reports alleging discoloration, irritation, and infections that may be associated with the wipes. The FDA notice also states the reports “remain under investigation,” and Target said it continues to coordinate with the manufacturer and investigate the matter. FDA recall announcement.

What investors and customers will likely watch next is whether Target provides additional detail on the investigation - such as whether the issue is confined strictly to the listed UPCs and date codes, or whether broader lot/date ranges come into scope. The FDA notice did not quantify recall-related costs (such as refund and logistics expenses) or provide a projected financial impact, so future updates may matter more for evaluating operational exposure than the initial headline. FDA recall announcement.