Nara Organics Formula Recall — 4 Cases Confirmed, Bacteria Found in Formula

The short version: On June 13, 2026, Nara Organics voluntarily recalled all lots of its powdered infant formula after federal health officials linked three cases of infant botulism to the product. A July 6 FDA update raised the confirmed case count to four — all in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. All four infants were between two and five months old when they became ill and were hospitalized and treated with BabyBIG, a special antitoxin used to treat infant botulism. No deaths have been reported. Investigators have since detected Clostridium botulinum in an opened can of Nara formula from one sick infant’s home. FDA testing of unopened samples is still underway.

How the Recall Happened

Infant botulism cases are rare enough that health officials pay close attention when more than one appears. The CDC tracks these cases nationally and, when a cluster emerges, investigators look for a common source — the same food, the same product, the same exposure.

In this case, investigators found that all three sick infants had been consuming Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula before their illness began. On June 12, 2026, the FDA and CDC contacted Nara Organics and provided the company with their findings. One day later, on June 13, 2026, Nara issued a voluntary recall covering all lots currently on the market.

The formula was sold at Target stores across the country, on Target.com, and directly through Nara.com between July 2025 and June 2026.

What Is Infant Botulism — and Why Is It So Serious

Botulism is not the same thing as food poisoning in the way most people think of it. In infant botulism, the danger is not a toxin already present in a food — it is the bacteria Clostridium botulinum itself. When an infant swallows spores of this bacteria, the spores can germinate and grow inside the baby’s intestinal tract. As the bacteria multiplies, it produces a neurotoxin — one of the most potent toxins known — that is then absorbed into the baby’s bloodstream.

This process is unique to infants because their gut is still developing. The intestinal environment in a young baby is different from an older child or adult, and it allows C. botulinum spores to take hold in a way they cannot in mature digestive systems. This is also why honey is off-limits for babies under one year old — honey can contain these spores.

Once the neurotoxin enters the bloodstream, it attacks the nervous system and causes progressive muscle weakness. Without treatment, the weakness spreads and can lead to breathing difficulties and, in severe cases, respiratory failure. Infants who develop botulism often require weeks of hospitalization in an intensive care unit.

Symptoms to Watch For

Infant botulism often starts in ways that can be easy to miss or attribute to something else. The earliest sign in many cases is constipation. As the illness progresses, parents and doctors start to notice more obvious signs of muscle weakness. The FDA and CDC say parents should watch for:

• Constipation — often the first sign; may appear before anything else
• Trouble feeding — difficulty sucking and swallowing, taking much longer than usual to eat
• Weak or changed cry — softer, higher-pitched, or just different from normal
• Loss of muscle tone — the baby feels floppy or limp when held
• Drooping eyelids — one or both eyes may look heavy or partially closed
• Sluggish pupils — eyes may be slow to react to light
• Facial weakness — reduced movement or expression in the face

Symptoms can take days or even several weeks to appear after a baby is exposed. The FDA recommends that parents who fed their baby Nara Organics formula watch for symptoms for a full month after the last time the formula was given.

The Four Babies Who Got Sick

As of July 6, 2026, four confirmed cases of infant botulism have been linked to this outbreak. All four infants became ill between April and May 2026. The infants ranged in age from two to five months at the time their symptoms began. The cases span California, Pennsylvania, and Washington state.

All four were hospitalized and received BabyBIG (Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous), a treatment specifically developed for infant botulism. BabyBIG is produced by the California Department of Public Health and works by neutralizing the botulinum toxin circulating in the infant’s bloodstream. When given early, it can significantly shorten the time a baby needs to stay in the hospital. No deaths have been reported.

The investigation is ongoing. The FDA and CDC have not ruled out additional cases. Parents who fed their babies Nara formula and noticed any of the symptoms above — even if their child was never formally diagnosed with botulism — should speak with their pediatrician and document what happened.

Bacteria Has Now Been Detected in Formula From a Sick Infant’s Home

At the time of the original recall on June 13, no lot of Nara Organics formula had tested positive for Clostridium botulinum. That changed as the investigation continued.

On July 6, 2026, the FDA disclosed that the California Department of Public Health — which runs one of the country’s leading infant botulism programs — detected Clostridium botulinum in an opened can of Nara Organics formula recovered from the home of one of the sick infants. The FDA is separately testing unopened samples collected from the same lot numbers that were fed to affected infants. Those results are expected in the coming weeks.

The detection in the opened can is significant, but investigators are careful to note that opened cans can become contaminated after a recall for various reasons. The testing of unopened samples — which would reflect the formula’s state when it left the manufacturer — is the definitive test. That work is still underway. FDA continues to work with the firms involved to determine the root cause and whether any additional products are affected.

If Your Baby Was Ill After Eating This Formula

If your baby consumed Nara Organics formula and became seriously ill — whether diagnosed with botulism or not — it is worth talking to a lawyer about what happened. A formula company has a responsibility to make sure the product it puts on store shelves is safe for the youngest, most vulnerable customers imaginable. When babies are hospitalized after using a product, families deserve answers — and may have the right to seek more.

You do not need a confirmed diagnosis of botulism to start that conversation. A lawyer who handles product cases can review the timeline of what your baby ate and when symptoms appeared, and advise you on whether there is reason to look further.