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- Bottled water sold across 6 US states recalled over fear of ‘foreign substance’ (marketrealist.com)
Bottled Water Recall Sparks Concern Across Six States
Midwest consumers are facing a new worry as tens of thousands of gallons of bottled water have been recalled due to the discovery of an unidentified “foreign substance.” The recall, issued by Michigan-based Meijer Distribution Inc., affects Meijer Steam Distilled Water sold in 128 fluid-ounce (1-gallon) plastic jugs across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
The unsettling news comes amidst a recent surge in product recalls, but the notion of contaminated drinking water has particularly raised eyebrows. According to a Fox News report, officials found a “floating black foreign substance” in the affected water. The recall impacts 38,043 gallons of the product, identifiable by a sell-by date of October 4, 2026, and lot code 39-222 #3.
What has compounded consumer concern is the lack of specific details from Meijer regarding the nature of the foreign object, its potential health implications, or whether any illnesses have been reported. The recall was initiated in November 2025, and authorities are reportedly still investigating the situation.
Adding to the mystery, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet issued a warning label for the recalled water, a step typically taken swiftly in such cases. This stands in contrast to recent actions taken by the federal body, such as the Class-II warning level placed on two brands of tater tots due to plastic contamination concerns.
Tater Tot Recall: A Separate Incident
In a separate, but equally concerning, recall, McCain Foods USA Inc. pulled 40,000 cases of two tater tot brands from shelves over fears of plastic contamination. The affected products include 21,256 cases of Ore-Ida Tater Tots shaped potatoes (item number OIF00215A, UPC 1 00 72714 00215 8) and 17,597 cases of Sysco Imperial Potato Tater Barrels (item number 1000006067, UPC 1 07 34730 62740 0).
A Class-II warning from the FDA indicates that consumption of the product could lead to “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.” These tater tots were distributed across a wide range of 26 states, stretching from Alaska to Florida. Fortunately, no serious illnesses have been linked to the consumption of these products.
While consumers are urged to check their bottled water and tater tot supplies, the ongoing investigation into the Meijer bottled water recall highlights the critical need for transparency and swift communication from manufacturers regarding potential health risks.
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- Bottled water sold across 6 US states recalled over fear of ‘foreign substance’ (marketrealist.com)