More than 38,000 gallons of Meijer Steam Distilled Water have been voluntarily recalled after officials identified a floating black foreign substance in one-gallon plastic jugs of the product.
The recall affects 38,043 gallons of distilled water sold in 128-ounce (1 gallon) plastic jugs with red caps. These products carry a best-by date of October 4, 2026, lot code 39-222 #3, UPC 041250841197, Product ID 472859, and Item Code 477910 — identifying information consumers can use to spot affected bottles.
Distribution of the recalled water spanned six states in the Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. No illnesses or injuries linked to the contamination have been reported so far by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Meijer Distribution Inc., based in Michigan, initiated the recall in November 2025 after the mysterious substance was first discovered floating in the water jugs. The FDA is still reviewing the situation and has not yet assigned a recall classification, which normally indicates the level of potential health risk posed by contaminated products.
Distilled water is commonly used not just for drinking but also in medical devices (like CPAP machines), infant formula preparation, and sinus rinses, where purity is critically important. Because of this, officials urge consumers to stop using the recalled water immediately — even if the substance isn’t visible.
Consumers who find affected jugs at home are advised to dispose of them safely or return the product to Meijer stores for a refund or replacement, complying with store return policies. The FDA continues to monitor the recall and may provide further details as the review progresses.
