Nara Organics recalls infant formula after botulism cases in three states
Federal officials said three infants who consumed Nara Organics formula were hospitalized and treated; no deaths have been reported.
By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent
3 min read
Nara Organics has recalled its Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula sold across the United States after three babies developed infant botulism, federal health officials said. The recall affects a product used by infants in California, Pennsylvania and Washington, and parents are being told to stop using it immediately.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the three infants consumed the formula between April and May. The babies were 2 to 5 months old when they became sick, according to the CDC.
All three infants were hospitalized and received BabyBIG, an antitoxin used to treat infant botulism, the CDC said. No deaths have been reported, according to the agency.
The recall applies to all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula products sold nationwide, including products sold at Target stores, Target.com and Nara.com, according to federal officials. The recalled formula was sold between July 2025 and June 2026.
What parents should do
The Food and Drug Administration advised parents and caregivers to stop using the recalled formula. The FDA said consumers should keep any remaining product in a safe place away from other food and mark it clearly with “Do Not Use,” because state health officials may ask for samples for testing.
If an infant has no symptoms and health officials do not need the product for testing, the FDA said the formula should be thrown away or returned. Federal officials did not report any deaths tied to the recall.
The FDA said Nara Organics is based in Europe and accounts for less than 1% of infant formula sold in the United States. The agency said the recall is not expected to affect the national formula supply.
Symptoms of infant botulism
Infant botulism is rare but serious, according to the CDC. The illness occurs when Clostridium botulinum spores grow in a baby’s large intestine and produce toxins that affect the nervous system.
The CDC said symptoms can take weeks to appear. The illness often begins with constipation and can later include trouble sucking or swallowing, a weak or different-sounding cry and poor head control.
Federal health officials said other possible symptoms include drooping eyelids, sluggish pupils and facial weakness. Without treatment, the CDC said infant botulism can cause progressive, flaccid paralysis that may lead to breathing problems, respiratory failure and weeks in the hospital.
Earlier formula-linked outbreak
The recall follows another infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart formula less than a year ago, according to federal officials. In a June 2 update, the FDA said that outbreak involved about 48 illnesses, including 28 confirmed cases, and led to a nationwide recall.
The current investigation involves Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula. Federal officials have not reported additional illnesses beyond the three hospitalized infants in California, Pennsylvania and Washington.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.