More than 38,000 gallons of distilled water are being recalled across six Midwest states after officials found a "floating black foreign substance" in the product, according to a notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The affected water, packaged in 128-ounce plastic jugs with red caps, was distributed across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
The recalled containers have a sell-by date of October 4, 2026, lot code 39-222 #3, and UPC 041250841197, according to the FDA. Consumers should inspect their jugs and stop using the water immediately, regardless of whether any contamination is visible.
Neither Meijer nor the FDA has shared how the foreign substance was discovered or what it might be. The FDA has yet to assign a recall classification indicating the health risk level.
NTD reached out to Meijer for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication.
The FDA’s recall mechanism typically assigns one of three classifications based on risk: Class I, indicating a reasonable probability that exposure could cause serious adverse health consequences or death; Class II, where exposure may cause temporary or reversible effects; and Class III, where adverse health consequences are unlikely.
Distilled water undergoes boiling and condensation to remove impurities and minerals, creating a product ideal for small appliances requiring high purity water, such as medical devices, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, humidifiers, and sinus rinses. It is also commonly used in infant formula preparation. Foreign material in distilled water can pose serious safety risks, particularly for sensitive uses that demand water completely free of particles or contaminants.
Unless a bottle specifically states it is spring water, it is likely purified water.
Purified water is usually sourced from municipal supplies and undergoes rigorous treatment before packaging. Common purification methods include reverse osmosis, charcoal filtration, distillation, and other technologies to ensure the final product meets purity standards.
To be labeled “purified,” the water must be processed by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or comparable methods in accordance with U.S. standards.
In 2018, WWMT News Channel 3 asked Meijer about the source of its bottled water, and the company declined to give specific details. Meijer’s public relations team did confirm, however, that it sources water from multiple vendors.
Meijer is a family-owned Midwest grocery chain that also sells general merchandise, provides pharmacy services, and has gas stations. The company operates large stores across Michigan and neighboring Midwest states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Wisconsin.