More than 1.7 million pounds of sugar has been urgently recalled

A huge quantity of sugar has been recalled across eight US states, in the latest issue to hit supermarket shelves.

Nearly 1.7 million pounds of sugar has been found to potentially contain wheat, an allergen not expected to be found in ordinary sugar and poses a major health risk for those with allergies.

The recall affects selected light brown and powdered sugar products sold under the United, Crystal Sugar and Good & Gather names.

The products were distributed in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The issue was first identified in August, when United Sugar Producers and Refiners of Minneapolis voluntarily recalled the affected products.

The FDA subsequently classified the recall as a Class II on 21 September.

More than 1.7 million bags of brown sugar have been recalled (Getty Stock/Jose Bernat Bacete)

A Class II recall covers a situation where eating or being exposed to a product ‘may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences’, while the likelihood of serious consequences is considered remote, the FDA reports.

Which sugar products are affected?

The recall covers both consumer and commercial-sized packages, meaning it is not limited to the bags typically found in a domestic kitchen.

Among the affected products are United Light Brown Sugar in 50lb bags, Good & Gather Light Brown Sugar in two-pound bags, United 6X Powdered Sugar in 50lb bags, Crystal Sugar Powdered Sugar in 25lb bags and Good & Gather Powdered Sugar in two-pound bags.

The relevant batches carry numbers ranging from MHD26223 through MHD26229, although the exact batch numbers vary according to the product.

Consumers should therefore check the packaging carefully rather than assuming that every product from one of the named brands has been recalled.

Good & Gather is associated with Target, but the recall is broader than one retailer, with the affected sugar distributed through other channels as well.

The FDA has not provided a complete list of individual shops that sold the products.

The bags have been potentially contaminated with wheat (Getty Stock/Cappi Thompson)

Why is wheat in sugar a concern?

Sugar itself would not normally be expected to contain wheat, which is why the potential contamination is particularly worrying for people with an allergy or coeliac disease.

Wheat is one of the nine major food allergens recognised by the FDA.

Reactions to food allergens can range considerably in severity.

The FDA says symptoms can include hives and swelling, while more serious reactions can develop into anaphylaxis, which can involve breathing difficulties and shock.

That does not mean everyone who has eaten the recalled sugar will become ill.

The concern is specifically about people who could react to the undeclared allergen, which may not be apparent from the product's packaging.

What should you do if you have one of the bags of sugar?

Anyone who has one of the affected products at home should check the brand, product size and batch information before using it.

The FDA advises consumers to return recalled sugar to the place of purchase for a refund or dispose of it.

With more than 1.7 million pounds of sugar involved, consumers in the eight affected states may want to take a moment to check their baking supplies before reaching for the next bag.