U.S. recalls Nara Organics organic formula after three infants suffer botulinum poisoning

Sixteen batches of Nara Organics organic formula are being recalled following the hospitalization of three infants due to botulinum toxin, which causes muscle paralysis.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 14/6 that Nara Organics is voluntarily recalling sixteen batches of its organic powdered infant formula nationwide. This decision follows reports from health officials of three infants in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington being hospitalized after contracting botulinum toxin, which causes muscle paralysis. The emergency recall applies to the company's whole milk organic powdered infant formula line, which was distributed from 7/2025 to 6/2026 through Target supermarkets and online platforms.

According to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all three patients, aged two to five months old, had consumed products from batch codes 709125280E14F2, 709125288E14F2, and 708125174E14F2 for approximately four to five months. The infants are currently receiving intensive treatment with the specialized antitoxin BabyBIG, and no fatalities have been reported.

Immediately following the discovery of these cases, the FDA urged consumers to stop using the product. Parents should photograph the packaging, record the batch number and expiration date for monitoring their child's health. The remaining formula should be labeled "Do not use" and stored separately from other foods for potential testing. If a child shows no symptoms after one month or if authorities do not request a sample, individuals may dispose of the product or return it to the point of purchase.

Infant botulism in children under one year of age is a rare but particularly dangerous condition. This is because infants' immature gut microbiome allows bacterial spores to develop and produce toxins within the intestines. The CDC warns that the illness can progress to flaccid paralysis, potentially leading to respiratory failure if medical intervention is not prompt. Parents should seek emergency medical care immediately if their child exhibits symptoms such as constipation, poor feeding, droopy eyelids, a floppy body due to reduced muscle tone, or difficulty swallowing or breathing.

The incident involving Nara Organics comes less than one year after a similar botulism outbreak linked to the ByHeart formula brand, which affected 48 children. Despite ongoing concerns about food safety, the FDA stated that this latest recall is not expected to impact the overall supply of infant formula in the market, as Nara Organics currently accounts for less than 1% of the market share in the U.S.