Parents are being urged to immediately stop using Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula after federal health officials linked the product to a multistate outbreak of infant botulism affecting three babies
According to an alert issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday evening, the infants from California, Pennsylvania and Washington developed botulism after consuming Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula. The children were between two and five months old when they became ill. All three infants were hospitalized and treated with BabyBIG®, an expensive, but effective FDA-approved treatment for infant botulism. No deaths have been reported.
The company has announced a recall of all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula products, including all lot numbers and two different can sizes sold online and through select retailers nationwide. Health officials are continuing to investigate the source of contamination and testing is currently underway on samples of the formula, with results expected in the coming weeks.
The recall comes only a few months after a different infant formula product by ByHeart was subjected to a nationwide recall due to links with botulism cases in infants. The ByHeart formula was linked to 28 confirmed cases of botulism and a further 20 suspected across 17 states. No deaths due to the outbreak were reported. During ByHeart’s recall, the company promoted Nara Organics as an alternative, offering customers a 20% off discount coupon.
Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness caused when spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum enter an infant’s digestive tract and produce toxins which attack nerves, leading to muscular and respiratory paralysis. The condition primarily affects babies under one year of age because their immune systems are still developing. If left untreated, the illness can progress to widespread muscle weakness and paralysis, potentially affecting breathing and requiring intensive medical care.
The CDC warns that symptoms may not appear immediately and can take several weeks to develop after exposure, with parents advised to monitor their babies for at least a month after their last exposure to the formula. Early signs often include constipation, though parents may first notice feeding difficulties, poor sucking or swallowing, a weak cry, reduced facial expression, or a loss of head control. While uncommon, infant botulism can quickly become life-threatening if not recognized and treated promptly.
The CDC is advising consumers to discard or return unopened cans of the recalled formula. Parents who have already opened a container are encouraged to document the lot number and use-by date and consider retaining the remaining product for up to a month in case testing is needed as part of an investigation. Officials also recommend washing bottles, preparation surfaces and any other items that may have come into contact with the formula using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.
The CDC is also reminding healthcare providers that infant botulism is primarily a clinical diagnosis. Experts recommend initiating treatment as soon as the disease is suspected rather than waiting for laboratory confirmation, as early intervention can improve outcomes.