SAN FRANCISCO – A major recall has been issued for Nara Organics’ organic baby formula, which is sold in Target stores and online across the United States. This recall follows a troubling outbreak of infant botulism, a rare but serious illness that can affect babies.
In April and May, three infants aged between 2 and 5 months fell ill after consuming the Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula. These cases were reported in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that these babies required hospitalization and received the FDA-approved treatment for infant botulism.
Infant botulism occurs mainly in babies under one year old. It arises when infants consume spores of a bacteria that can produce a toxin in their immature gut microbiomes. Symptoms of this condition can be severe and include constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, weak muscle tone, difficulty swallowing, and even breathing problems. If your baby shows any of these symptoms, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
The only treatment available for infant botulism is a medication called BabyBIG, which is an intravenous treatment derived from the blood plasma of individuals who have been immunized against botulism.
According to the FDA, Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula accounts for less than 1% of all infant formula sold in the U.S., and this outbreak does not pose a nationwide shortage concern for parents and caregivers.
If you have this formula at home, the CDC advises you to stop using it immediately. The formula, which is manufactured in Europe but sold in the U.S., should be treated with caution. For those who have opened cans, it is recommended to take a picture of the can, record the lot number and use-by date, and carefully monitor your infants for any symptoms.
The CDC suggests labeling the can as “DO NOT USE” and storing it out of reach from other baby items for at least a month. If no symptoms appear after that time, you can safely dispose of the leftover formula.
