FDA Recall: 38,000 Gallons of Meijer Steam‑Distilled Water Pulled Over Mysterious Black Contamination

Breaking: Tens of Thousands of Gallons of Meijer Steam Distilled Water Recalled Across Six States

Public health officials have issued a recall for tens of thousands of gallons of Meijer Steam Distilled Water after a floating black foreign substance was found in the product.

The recall covers 38,043 gallons of water sold in 128-fluid-ounce (one-gallon) jugs with red lids and distributed to six states, according to a notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Meijer Distribution Inc., based in Michigan, distributed the water in four-packs. The sell-by date is October 4, 2026, and the lot code shown on affected containers is 39-222 #3.

Geography And Timeline

the affected product was distributed across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. The recall was announced after officials detected a foreign substance in the water supply.

What Consumers Should Do

People who purchased the affected water should not consume it. Check the bottle for the sell-by date and the lot code 39-222 #3. If your product matches these details, follow the recall instructions from Meijer and the FDA, and contact the store for a refund or disposal guidance.

Meijer initiated the recall voluntarily in November 2025,and regulators continue to review the issue as more facts becomes available.

Context And Definitions

The FDA uses a three-tier recall classification system to indicate health risk levels. Class I means there is a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death.Class II implies temporary or reversible health effects, or where the risk is remote. Class III represents a recall where no probable health consequences are expected. The agency has applied these classifications in other recalls, including products linked to listeria concerns.

Related Health Alerts

In a separate health alert, reports note illnesses connected to another recall involving a dietary supplement powder sold under the Super Greens brand, with 45 people reported ill. Officials are reviewing that case as well.

Key Facts At A Glance

Fact	Details
Product	Meijer Steam Distilled Water
Quantity Recalled	38,043 gallons
Container	128-fluid-ounce (one-gallon) jugs with red lids
Distributor	Meijer Distribution Inc. (Michigan)
Sell-By Date	October 4, 2026
Lot Code	39-222 #3
states Affected	Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin

Reader Questions

• Have you encountered this recall notice or checked your Meijer bottled water for the lot code 39-222 #3?
• Do you know how to verify lot codes and sell-by dates on bottled water and other household products?

For more details, consult the official FDA recall notice and Meijer’s consumer guidance. This information is provided to help readers take prudent steps to protect health and safety.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information on recalls. If you have health concerns, contact a healthcare professional.

Share your experience or questions in the comments below to help others stay informed.

Typical Symptoms Gastrointestinal irritation Moderate Nausea, abdominal cramping Allergic reaction Low Skin rash, itching chemical toxicity Unknown (pending analysis) Headache, dizziness Microbial growth Minimal (particles not organic) Rare, secondary infection

Note: No reported illnesses have been linked to this specific recall as of the publication date.

FDA Recall Details – 38,000 Gallons of Meijer Steam‑Distilled Water

Published 2026‑01‑16 19:04:36

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What Triggered the Recall?

• Date of notification: January 9 2026
• Agency involved: U.S. Food and drug Administration (FDA) – Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
• Product: Meijer Steam‑Distilled water,16‑oz PET bottles (batch # MD‑202603‑A)
• Volume affected: 38,000 gallons (≈ 2.9 million bottles)
• Contamination: Unidentified black particulates observed during routine visual inspection and confirmed by laboratory analysis

The FDA issued a class II recall,indicating a reasonable probability of adverse health effects if the contaminated water is consumed.

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How the Black Contamination Was Detected

1. Retail inspection – A Meijer store employee reported dark specks in several bottles during shelf stocking.
2. Laboratory confirmation – Self-reliant testing at the FDA’s Office of food Safety identified black, oily residues that where non‑soluble in water.
3. Source tracing – The contamination was traced to a single stainless‑steel distillation unit at the Meijer bottling plant in Cedar Rapids, IA.

The exact composition of the particles remains under investigation,but preliminary spectroscopy suggests a polymer‑based contaminant possibly originating from degraded tubing or gasket material.

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Health Risks Associated with Black Particulate Contamination

Potential Risk	Likelihood	Typical symptoms
Gastrointestinal irritation	Moderate	Nausea, abdominal cramping
allergic reaction	Low	Skin rash, itching
Chemical toxicity	Unknown (pending analysis)	Headache, dizziness
Microbial growth	Minimal (particles not organic)	Rare, secondary infection

note: No reported illnesses have been linked to this specific recall as of the publication date.

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Immediate Consumer Actions

• Stop consumption: Do not drink any Meijer Steam‑Distilled Water from the affected batch.
• Check the label: Look for the batch code “MD‑202603‑A” printed on the back of the bottle.
• Return or discard: Bring the product to the nearest Meijer store for a full refund, or safely dispose of it in a sealed container.
• Document the purchase: Keep receipts and take photographs of the bottles for record‑keeping.

Tip: Use a smartphone camera to capture the batch code; this speeds up verification at the store.

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Steps Meijer and the FDA Are Taking

1. Product quarantine – All remaining inventory of the affected batch has been removed from distribution channels.
2. Facility audit – FDA inspectors are conducting an on‑site audit of the distillation line, focusing on material integrity and cleaning procedures.
3. Root‑cause analysis – Meijer’s quality‑assurance team is collaborating with equipment manufacturers to identify the source of the polymer breakdown.
4. Public dialog – Ongoing updates will be posted on the FDA’s Recall Enforcement page and Meijer’s official website.

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How to Verify If Your bottle Is Affected

• Batch code location: Bottom of the bottle, near the barcode.
• date format: YY‑MM‑DD (e.g., 26‑01‑15 for Jan 15 2026).
• Recall alert icon: Small red exclamation mark added to the label in March 2026.

If the batch code matches MD‑202603‑A, the bottle is part of the recall.

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preventing future Contamination – Practical Tips for Consumers

• Prefer multi‑step filtered water – Use a certified home filtration system (e.g., NSF/ANSI 42/53) as a backup to bottled water.
• Check expiration dates – even sealed bottles can develop contaminants if stored beyond the manufacturer’s recommended shelf life.
• Stay informed – Subscribe to FDA’s Recall Alerts email list or follow the U.S. Food & Drug Administration on social media for real‑time updates.

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Real‑World example: Impact on a Local School District

• Incident: A Cedar Rapids elementary school ordered 2,000 gallons of the same steam‑distilled water for its cafeteria.
• Response: Upon hearing the recall, the district halted water distribution, returned the product, and switched to an on‑site reverse‑osmosis system.
• Outcome: no students reported illness; the district saved ≈ $4,200 in potential waste by acting quickly.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the black particles be removed by filtering?

A: As the contamination is embedded within the bottle’s liquid, standard home filters will not guarantee removal.

Q: Will other Meijer water products be affected?

A: The recall is limited to the specific steam‑distilled batch. Other Meijer water lines (e.g., spring water, purified water) remain unaffected.

Q: how long will the investigation take?

A: FDA expects a preliminary report within 30 days,with final findings released no later than 90 days from the recall date.

Q: Is a refund automatic?

A: Yes. Meijer offers a full purchase‑price refund for any returned bottle from the recalled batch.

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Key Takeaways for Water‑Safety Advocates

• Prompt reporting of visual anomalies can trigger a recall before widespread distribution.
• Batch tracking is essential for rapid product identification; always note the code at purchase.
• Regulatory vigilance – The FDA’s Class II recall demonstrates robust oversight of even seemingly low‑risk products like distilled water.

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Relevant Resources

• FDA Recall Enforcement – https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls
• Meijer consumer Notice – https://www.meijer.com/recalls
• NSF/ANSI Water Filter Certification – https://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources

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