Target recalls 2 types of baby wipes over possible 'life-threatening' infections

Target is recalling baby wipes that could be contaminated with bacteria capable of causing what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says can be "life-threatening" infections in babies, young children and those with weakened immune systems.

The nationwide retail chain is withdrawing Up & Up Fragrance Free and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes after customer complaints about discoloration, prompting testing that identified Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli in product samples, the FDA said.

The FDA is investigating customer complaints to Target and the wipes’ manufacturer, Sapro Temizlik Urunleri, about skin and eye irritation, as well as infections possibly connected with using the wipes.

For healthy people with open wounds, using the contaminated product may cause localized infections. But for those with weakened immune systems, there’s a higher risk of the infection spreading into the bloodstream and causing sepsis or pneumonia, according to the FDA.

The recalled wipes have been sold both online and at Target stores across the country. There are 20 Target locations on Long Island.

The FDA urges anyone who bought the recalled wipes to stop using them and to return them to any Target for a refund.

By Brianne Ledda

brianne.ledda@newsday.com@brianne_ledda

Brianne Ledda covers personal finance and affordability for Newsday. She previously covered Southold and Greenport for The Suffolk Times and is a graduate of Stony Brook University.