Nara Organics has initiated a nationwide recall of its Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula following reports of three children diagnosed with infant botulism in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. According to federal health officials, these incidents involved infants aged 2 to 5 months who consumed the formula between April and May. All affected infants required hospitalization and received treatment with BabyBIG, an antitoxin specifically designed for this serious condition. Fortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that no fatalities have been reported as a result of these cases.
The recall affects all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula products distributed across the country, including those sold at Target stores and online at Target.com and Nara.com, during the period from July 2025 to June 2026. Parents and caregivers are strongly urged to cease using the recalled formula immediately.
Infant botulism is a rare but potentially life-threatening illness caused by the growth of Clostridium botulinum spores in an infant’s large intestine, where they produce toxins that can severely impact the nervous system. Symptoms may not surface for weeks and can initially manifest as constipation. As the condition progresses, infants may experience difficulty in sucking and swallowing, a weak or altered cry, and poor head control. Other potential signs include drooping eyelids, sluggish pupils, and facial weakness. In severe cases, untreated infant botulism can result in progressive flaccid paralysis, posing serious risks such as respiratory failure that may necessitate extended hospitalization.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers store any remaining recalled product in a secure location, separate from other food items, and clearly marked as “Do Not Use.” If needed, state health officials may collect samples for testing. In instances where the affected infant shows no symptoms and officials do not require the formula, it should either be discarded or returned.
The FDA has noted that Nara Organics, a manufacturer based in Europe, supplies less than 1% of the total infant formula sold in the United States, and thus this recall is not anticipated to disrupt the nation’s overall formula supply.
This recall follows a previous incident less than a year ago tied to ByHeart formula, which prompted a nationwide recall due to a related infant botulism outbreak that led to around 48 illnesses, including 28 confirmed cases, as detailed in a June 2 update from the FDA.
