Nara Organics has recalled its organic baby formula sold at Target stores and online after federal authorities linked it to a multistate outbreak of infant botulism. The recall affects Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula, which is also sold on Nara.com.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said three babies between 2 and 5 months old became ill in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington after consuming the formula. All three were hospitalized and treated with the FDA-approved therapy for infant botulism.
What Parents Need To Know Now
Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness that affects babies under age 1, whose gut microbiomes are still immature. It happens when infants consume bacteria with spores that produce a toxin in the gut.
Symptoms can include constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, weak muscle tone, trouble swallowing, and breathing problems. Babies showing those signs need immediate medical attention.
According to the CDC, the only treatment is BabyBIG, an IV medication made from blood plasma from people immunized against botulism.
How The Recall Affects Families
The FDA said Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula makes up less than 1% of all infant formula sold in the United States, so the outbreak does not create shortage concerns for parents and caregivers. The formula is manufactured in Europe but sold only in the U.S.
The CDC urged anyone who has the formula to stop using it immediately. If an opened can is in the home, parents should take a picture, record the lot number and use-by date, and watch infants for symptoms.
“Label it ‘DO NOT USE’ and keep it stored in a safe place away from other items you feed your baby for at least a month,” the CDC said. “If no symptoms appear after a month, throw the leftover formula away.”
