Target recalls Up & Up baby wipes due to bacterial contamination risk
This incident is not Up & Up’s first contamination issue.
USA – Target is voluntarily recalling select Up & Up brand baby wipes across the United States due to potential microbial contamination that could cause serious, life-threatening infections.
The recall covers two product lines: Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes (available in 20-count, 72-count, 216-count, 800-count, and 1,200-count packages) and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes (in 72-count, 216-count, and 800-count packages), both sold nationwide in Target stores and on Target’s website.
The voluntary action follows customer complaints about product discoloration and adverse event reports alleging skin irritation, eye irritation, and infections potentially linked to the wipes.
Upon investigation, U.S. Food and Drug Administration testing confirmed the presence of Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli bacteria in affected product samples.
These naturally occurring bacteria can cause illness in humans and pose heightened risks to newborns, infants, and young children due to their immature immune systems.
Target explained that while healthy individuals using the product on skin with minor lesions are more likely to experience localized infections, immunocompromised individuals, newborns, infants, and young children face a greater risk of the infection spreading into the bloodstream, potentially leading to life-threatening sepsis or pneumonia.
Both Target and the manufacturer, Sapro Temizlik Urunleri, have received multiple consumer complaints and adverse event reports regarding the contaminated products after customers .
Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the recalled wipes and return them to any Target store for a full refund.
For additional information about refunds and impacted products, customers can contact Target Guest Relations at 1-800-440-0680, available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time.
Target spokesperson stated the company cares deeply about guest safety and initiated the recall out of an abundance of caution.
Reports of mould in Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes surfaced on social media earlier this year, with parents documenting brown spots and mouldy wipes in new packages through May 2026.
The wipes were manufactured by Sapro Temizlik Ürünleri, a Turkish wet wipe manufacturer responsible for 65% of Turkey’s wet wipe exports in 2024 and recognized as a top private-label manufacturer by the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association.
The Target recall reflects broader industry clean-up efforts.
Other major companies have recently issued recalls due to contaminants, regulatory failures, or formulation mix-ups.
L’Oréal’s CeraVe faced lawsuits alleging cancer-causing chemicals after independent laboratory testing by Valisure reported elevated benzene levels in benzoyl peroxide acne products in 2024.
The FDA subsequently tested 95 benzoyl peroxide products in March 2025, finding that over 90% had undetectable or very low benzene levels, though six products were voluntarily recalled.
L’Oréal previously recalled its Effaclar Duo acne treatment in the U.S. due to benzene contamination in one batch.
UK retailer TK Maxx recalled Byblos Blu Happy Hour Eau de Toilette because it contained hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxyaldehyde (HICC/Lyral), a synthetic ingredient prohibited by the EU Commission due to risks of allergic reactions.
Drunk Elephant also voluntarily recalled specific skincare batches after accidentally switching surfactants and preservatives, discovering two unlisted ingredients that could cause skin reactions and infections.
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