United Sugar Producers and Refiners has recalled nearly 1.7 million pounds of brown and powdered sugar because the products may contain wheat kernels, an undeclared allergen that can trigger serious reactions in people with a wheat allergy. The recall, first initiated in August, covers consumer-sized bags and bulk packages distributed across eight states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration assigned the recall a Class II risk level on September 21. That classification means use of or exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, with only a remote probability of serious harm. Wheat is one of nine major food allergens recognized by the FDA.
Two of the affected products are sold under Target's Good & Gather house brand, including a 2-pound bag of light brown sugar and a 2-pound bag of powdered sugar. The recall also covers United Light Brown Sugar in 50-pound bags, United 6X Powdered Sugar in 50-pound bags, and Crystal Sugar Powdered Sugar in 25-pound bags.
The FDA report lists specific item numbers, UPC codes, and batch numbers so consumers and retailers can identify the affected packages. The Good & Gather light brown sugar carries item number 817773 and UPC 0 85239-08454 0, while the Good & Gather powdered sugar carries item number 817774 and UPC 0 85239-08455 7. The recalled batch numbers for most products run from MHD26223 through MHD26229, with Crystal Sugar Powdered Sugar limited to batch MHD26230.
According to its website, United Sugar Producers & Refiners supplies industrial and retail customers nationwide and currently meets about one-quarter of total U.S. sugar demand. The company is based in Minnesota. The FDA report does not specify which retailers or businesses received the recalled bulk products, though the two consumer-sized bags are tied to Target's owned food brand.
The product quantity is listed in the FDA report as 12,678 CWT and 4,265 CWT, a measurement in hundredweight that converts to nearly 1.7 million pounds of sugar. The recall spans package sizes from 2-pound consumer bags to 50-pound bulk packages, reflecting the company's dual role as a supplier to both households and commercial customers.
People with a wheat allergy should check their pantries for the recalled products and avoid using them. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include hives, difficulty breathing, and digestive distress, and the FDA's Class II designation signals that temporary or reversible health effects are possible. Consumers who find affected packages can return them to the place of purchase or discard them.
The recall adds to a series of recent food safety actions that have drawn attention to allergen labeling and supply chain oversight. Because wheat is not an expected ingredient in sugar, the contamination raises questions about how the kernel fragments entered the production stream and how quickly the affected batches moved from the Minnesota facility to store shelves in eight states.
For now, the FDA's public notice provides the most detailed guidance for identifying the recalled items. Shoppers in the affected states should compare the item numbers, UPC codes, and batch numbers on their sugar packages against the recall list before baking or cooking with them.
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