CDC Links Nara Organics Infant Formula to Infant Botulism Cases
Federal health officials are advising parents and caregivers to stop using Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula after the product was linked to a multistate outbreak of infant botulism involving three babies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the affected infants, from California, Pennsylvania and Washington, became ill after consuming the formula. The children were between two and five months old. All three were hospitalized and treated with BabyBIG, an FDA-approved therapy for infant botulism. No deaths have been reported.
Nara Organics has recalled all Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula products, including every lot number and both can sizes sold online and through select retailers nationwide. Investigators are working to determine the source of contamination. Testing of formula samples is underway, with results expected in the coming weeks.
The recall follows a separate infant formula-related botulism investigation involving ByHeart products, which were recalled nationwide months earlier. That outbreak was linked to 28 confirmed cases and 20 suspected cases across 17 states, with no reported deaths.
Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness caused when Clostridium botulinum spores grow in an infant’s digestive tract and produce toxins that affect the nerves. Babies under one year old are most vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing. Symptoms can include constipation, difficulty feeding, weak sucking or swallowing, a weak cry, reduced facial expression and loss of head control. In severe cases, the illness can lead to paralysis and breathing problems.
The CDC says symptoms may take weeks to appear and recommends monitoring exposed infants for at least a month. Consumers should discard or return unopened cans. For opened containers, parents should record lot numbers and use-by dates and may keep remaining formula in case testing is needed. Bottles and surfaces should be washed thoroughly. Clinicians are advised to treat suspected cases promptly.