If you keep a pack of Target’s store-brand baby wipes in your diaper bag, this is worth two minutes of your attention. In early June 2026, Target issued a voluntary nationwide recall of two of its Up & Up baby wipe lines after federal testing found bacterial contamination that can pose a serious risk to infants. Here’s what was recalled, why it matters, and what to do right now.
Which Wipes Are Affected
The recall covers two products, both sold in Target stores across the country and online at Target.com:
- Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes-20, 72, 216, 800, and 1,200 count
- Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes-72, 216, and 800 count
To check whether your pack is included, look at the manufacturing date code and expiration date printed on the bottom of the package:
- Fragrance Free: manufacturing codes from November 7, 2025 through May 5, 2026, with expiration dates between May 10, 2028 and November 5, 2028.
- Fresh Cucumber Scented: manufacturing codes from December 29, 2025 through December 30, 2025, with expiration dates between June 29, 2028 and June 30, 2028.
If your wipes fall in those ranges, stop using them. If you’re not sure, the safest move is to set them aside until you can confirm. You can cross-check your pack against the full FDA recall notice, which lists every UPC code and includes package photos.
Why the Recall Was Issued
The recall began after customers complained that the wipes were discolored. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration then tested product samples and identified two types of bacteria: Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli.
These are naturally occurring bacteria, and for most healthy adults they pose a low risk. The concern is who uses baby wipes. According to the FDA, contamination with these bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening infections in the people most likely to be exposed-newborns, infants, and young children, whose immune systems are still developing. In a healthy person, contact with broken skin may lead to a local infection. In a vulnerable child, the FDA warns the infection is more likely to spread into the bloodstream, potentially causing sepsis or pneumonia.
That gap between “low risk for most” and “serious risk for babies” is exactly why a wipe used dozens of times a day on infants warranted a nationwide recall.
Symptoms Parents Should Watch For
Target and the wipes’ manufacturer have reported a number of consumer complaints and adverse event reports describing problems potentially associated with the product, including skin irritation, eye irritation, and infections. The FDA has noted these reports remain under investigation.
If your child used the recalled wipes, keep an eye out for:
- Persistent skin redness, rash, or irritation in the diaper area or wherever the wipes were used
- Eye redness or irritation
- Signs of infection-warmth, swelling, pus, or a wound that isn’t healing
- Fever, unusual fussiness, poor feeding, or lethargy, which can be early signs of a more serious infection
If you notice any of these, contact your pediatrician. When in doubt with an infant, it’s always reasonable to call.
What To Do Right Now
- Stop using the recalled wipes immediately. Don’t finish the pack.
- Return them to any Target store for a full refund-you don’t need the receipt.
- Throw them away if returning isn’t convenient. Don’t pass them along or donate them.
- Call Target Guest Relations at 1-800-440-0680 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central, daily) with any questions about your specific pack.
It’s also worth checking with anyone else who cares for your child-a partner, grandparent, or daycare-since recalled wipes can easily be sitting in more than one place.
Your Legal Options
For most families, the recall and a refund will be the end of it. But some parents have reported that their child developed an infection or other health problems after using the recalled wipes-and in those situations, a refund doesn’t come close to covering the cost of medical care, missed work, and the stress of a sick baby.
If your child experienced an infection, a serious skin or eye reaction, or another injury that you believe is connected to these wipes, you may have legal options worth exploring. Attorneys are now investigating claims on behalf of affected families, and you can learn more about the Target baby wipe lawsuit to understand how these cases work and whether yours may qualify. Most consultations are free, and there’s no obligation to move forward.
Check your wipes against the recall list, stop using any affected packs, and return them to Target for a refund. Watch your child for signs of irritation or infection, and don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician. For additional independent guidance on the recall, Consumer Reports has a parent-focused breakdown. And if your family was harmed, know that you have options beyond a refund.
