Nara Organics recalls infant formula after botulism cases

Nara Organics is recalling all of its Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula sold in the United States after three babies who consumed the powdered formula developed infant botulism and were hospitalized, federal health officials said.

The infants, who were in California, Pennsylvania and Washington, consumed the formula between April and May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They were between 2 and 5 months old when they became ill. All three were treated with BabyBIG, an antitoxin used for infant botulism, and no deaths have been reported.

The recall covers all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula products sold nationwide, including cans sold at Target stores, Target.com and Nara.com between July 2025 and June 2026. The Food and Drug Administration said the formula was not sold outside the United States.

The three product lots consumed by the sickened babies are 709125280E14F2, 709125288E14F2 and 708125174E14F2, according to the FDA. Lot numbers are printed on the bottom of the cans. Federal officials said no lots of Nara Organics Powdered Infant Formula have tested positive for Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes infant botulism, but the company is voluntarily recalling all whole milk infant powdered formula products.

“Nara is taking aggressive action to ensure the safety of the babies and families who use the product as we work closely with the FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state partners to support their investigation into the root causes of these cases,” the company said in the FDA recall notice.

Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness that occurs when Clostridium botulinum spores grow in a baby’s intestine and produce toxins that attack the nervous system. Symptoms can take several weeks to appear and often begin with constipation. They may progress to poor feeding, difficulty sucking or swallowing, poor head control, weak or altered crying, drooping eyelids, sluggish pupils, facial weakness, low muscle tone, generalized weakness and breathing problems.

Without treatment, the CDC said, the illness can cause “progressive, flaccid paralysis that can lead to breathing difficulties, including respiratory failure, and require weeks of hospitalization.” Respiratory arrest is possible, and the disease can be fatal.

Parents and caregivers should stop using the recalled formula immediately. The FDA advised consumers to keep any remaining product in a safe place away from other food and clearly mark it “Do Not Use,” because state health officials may request samples for testing. If a baby has consumed the product and develops symptoms, caregivers should contact a health care provider immediately.

Customers who bought formula from Nara.com between May and June 2026 will receive an automatic refund, according to the FDA notice. Other Nara.com customers can request a refund online. Consumers who purchased the product at Target should return it to the store or visit Target’s website for refund information.

The FDA said Nara Organics, a Europe-based manufacturer, accounts for less than 1% of infant formula sold in the United States, and the recall is not expected to affect the nation’s formula supply.

The recall follows another infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart formula. In a June 2 update, the FDA said that outbreak resulted in about 48 illnesses, including 28 confirmed cases; CBS News reported it led to more than 50 illnesses in 19 states.