Class II U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Meijer Steam Distilled Water, 128 FL OZ 3.78L recall: Floating black foreign substance in the product

Recall published 9 months ago

Floating black foreign substance in the product

The hazard: Foreign material — foreign objects

This is a foreign-material recall — foreign objects where there should be none. An affected pack looks identical to a sound one from the outside.

What the notice says: Floating black foreign substance in the product

Why it matters: Pieces of foreign objects may be inside the product. The risk here is physical rather than microbial: cuts to the mouth or throat, a broken tooth, or an injury further down if a fragment is swallowed.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

If someone has swallowed a fragment and has mouth or throat pain, trouble swallowing, chest or stomach pain, vomiting, or blood in saliva or stool, they should be seen the same day. A fragment swallowed without symptoms usually passes on its own, but tell the clinician exactly what the product was: whether it shows up on imaging depends entirely on the material, so describe the product and the notice to them.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Recall number
H-0408-2026
Published
January 14, 2026
Risk level
Class II
Status
Terminated
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Meijer Inc
Product type
Beverages
Units affected
38,043 gallons
Distribution
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
Sold at
Meijer
Made in
United States
Lot / code info
SELL BY OCT 04 2026 Lot Code: 39-222 #3 Product ID (PID): 472859 Meijer Item Code (MIC): 477910
UPC codes
041250841197

Products covered by this recall

Meijer Steam Distilled Water, 128 FL OZ (1 GAL) 3.78L, packaged in a plastic jug with red plastic lid, UPC 041250841197, Dist. By Meijer Distribution, Inc. Grand Rapids, MI 49544, packed 4 per case

Check your product

The notice names 5 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 041250841197

Model or item number

On the rating label, the box or the instruction sheet.

  • ID

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 128 FL OZ
  • 3.78 L
  • 043 gallons

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Food & cosmetics enforcement notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Foreign material

Meijer Inc — This is a foreign-material recall — foreign objects where there should be none. An affected pack looks identical to a sound one from the outside.

  1. Stop eating it, and do not pick through it to find the fragment — sorting it by hand is how people get cut.
  2. Keep the pack if you can. If anyone was hurt, the fragment and the packaging together are the evidence that matters.
  3. Return it to the store or bin it sealed, and claim the refund using the lot code from the label.
  4. Check the freezer and the pantry for other packs carrying the same codes before you consider the matter closed.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Company contact: Meijer Inc — 2929 Walker Ave Nw, Grand Rapids, MI, 49544-6402

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Food & cosmetics enforcement record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Meijer Inc beverages recalled?

Floating black foreign substance in the product Floating black foreign substance in the product

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 041250841197; model number ID. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop eating it, and do not pick through it to find the fragment — sorting it by hand is how people get cut.

Can I get my money back?

A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin.

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