• FDA issued Class II recall on September 21 of than 2.1 million pounds light brown and powdered sugar from United Sugar Producers due to wheat kernel contamination, affecting eight states and posing serious risks to wheat allergy sufferers.
  • Recalled sugar was sold under Good & Gather, United, and Crystal Sugar brands at retailers across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas with specific batch numbers MHD26223-MHD26230.
  • Consumers with wheat allergies should discard recalled sugar immediately and seek medical attention if consumed, as contamination may trigger allergic reactions ranging from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis requiring emergency care.

Check your pantry ASAP, because there’s a major sugar recall happening.

On September 21, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published an enforcement report announcing that United Sugar Producers and Refiners of Minneapolis, MN, is recalling over 2.1 million pounds of light brown and powdered sugar. The sugar is being recalled because it may be contaminated with wheat kernels, posing a serious potential health risk to people with wheat allergies.

The recalled sugar was distributed to eight states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

United Sugar Producers and Refiners began the ongoing voluntary recall on August 19, but the FDA updated the recall with a Class II designation on September 21. A Class II recall means, according to the FDA, that using or being exposed to a recalled product could cause temporary, medically treatable health problems, but the probability of serious health consequences or death is considered remote.

Which sugar is being recalled

The sugar was sold in sizes for both consumer and commercial use. While Good & Gather is a Target brand, the company told Newsweek that the impacted products never reached “its distribution centers, stores or customers.” Although they are still on the list.

These are the items being recalled:

Granulated sugar

United

  • Net weight: 50 lbs (22.68 kg)
  • Item number: 810051
  • Distributed by: United Sugar Producers & Refiners, Minneapolis, MN 55439
  • Batch numbers: MHD26223, MHD26224, MHD26225, MHD26226, MHD26227, MHD26228, MHD26229

Good & Gather

  • Net weight: 2 lbs (32 oz.; 907 g)
  • Item number: 817773
  • UPC: 0 85239-08454 0
  • Distributed by: Target Corp., Minneapolis, MN 55403
  • Batch numbers: MHD26223, MHD26224, MHD26225, MHD26226, MHD26227, MHD26228, MHD26229

Powdered Sugar

United 6X

  • Net weight: 50 lb. (22.68 kg)
  • Item number: 810087
  • UPC: 7 85921-07090 4
  • Distributed by: United Sugar Producers & Refiners, Minneapolis, MN 55439
  • Batch numbers: MHD26223, MHD26224, MHD26225, MHD26226, MHD26227, MHD26229

Crystal Sugar

  • Net weight: 25 lbs (11.3 kg)
  • Item number: 810097
  • UPC: 0 70090-08090 9
  • Distributed by: Crystal Sugars Corporation, Moorhead, MN
  • Batch number: MHD26230

Good & Gather

  • Net weight: 2 lb. (32 oz.; 907 g)
  • Item number: 817774
  • UPC: 0 85239-08455 7
  • Distributed by: Target Corp., Minneapolis, MN 55403
  • Batch numbers: MHD26223, MHD26224, MHD26225, MHD26226, MHD26227, MHD26228, MHD26229

Health risks

If you have a wheat allergy, you could experience symptoms including:

  • swelling, itching, or irritation of your mouth or throat
  • hives, an itchy rash, or swelling of your skin
  • nasal congestion
  • headache
  • difficulty breathing
  • stomach cramps
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

A wheat allergy can also cause anaphylaxis, a serious, potentially life-threatening reaction. Signs of anaphylaxis include:

  • swelling or tightness of your throat
  • chest pain or tightness
  • severe difficulty breathing
  • difficulty swallowing
  • pale skin with a bluish tinge
  • dizziness
  • fainting

If you experience these signs, call 911 immediately, and, if you carry an EpiPen, inject yourself as you’ve been instructed to do by your health care provider.

What to do if you bought the recalled sugar

If you have one of the affected products, do not consume it if it matches the recalled lot information. The enforcement report doesn’t contain any information about whether illness has been associated with the recall, but if you have eaten any of the sugar, check in with your health care provider, just to be on the safe side, and especially if you have a wheat allergy.

Contact the store where you purchased the sugar for their return/refund policy. If you don’t return the recalled sugar, be sure to throw it out.