Three infants have been hospitalized with infant botulism after consuming Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula, prompting a nationwide recall of the product sold at Target stores and online.
The babies, aged between two and five months, became ill between April and May in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. All three were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Recall Covers Entire Product Line
Nara Organics, based in New York, agreed to recall all lots of its Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula on June 13 following notification from the Food and Drug Administration.
The formula was sold in 14-ounce and 24-ounce blue cans featuring an image of a mother cow and calf. It was available at Target retail locations, Target.com, and Nara’s website.
The company manufactures the product in Europe for the U.S. market, where it holds less than 1 percent of infant formula sales. Officials said the recall is not expected to cause shortages.
A full list of recalled lot codes, including 709125280E14F2, 709125288E14F2 and 708125174E14F2. The specific lots linked to the three cases are available on the FDA website.
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No product has tested positive for Clostridium botulinum to date, but the epidemiological connection led to the voluntary action.
Health Officials Urge Immediate Action
Parents and caregivers who purchased the formula are advised to stop using it immediately. For unopened cans, return the product to the place of purchase or discard it.
For opened cans, photograph the lot number and use-by date on the bottom, label the container “do not use,” and store it safely away from other food and items. Monitor infants for symptoms for up to a month before disposal.
Refunds are available through Target or Nara Organics. Customers who bought online from Nara.com between May and June may receive automatic refunds. Others can request them via the company’s website.
Infant botulism occurs when spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can be present in the environment, are ingested and produce toxins in an immature digestive system.
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Symptoms include constipation, poor feeding, weak cry, drooping eyelids, floppy muscle tone, and difficulty swallowing or breathing. Affected infants require prompt medical care and treatment with BabyBIG, an intravenous antitoxin derived from human plasma.
Investigation Ongoing as Testing Continues
Federal and state health officials, including the CDC, FDA, and California’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, continue to investigate. Leftover formula from some cases has been collected for testing, with results expected in the coming weeks.
Nara Organics issued a statement expressing regret for the concern caused to customers and commitment to transparency. The company said it is working to gather more information.
This marks the second notable infant formula botulism incident in recent years. Last year, a ByHeart formula recall was linked to more than 50 cases across 19 states.
