Nara Organics recalls baby formula after botulism outbreak
Nara Organics has recalled its organic baby formula sold nationwide in Target stores and online after a multistate outbreak of infant botulism, reports BritPanorama.
Three infants aged between two and five months fell ill in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington between April and May after consuming Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered infant formula. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed the illnesses were linked to the formula, which is also available on Nara.com.
The affected infants were hospitalized and received the FDA-approved treatment for infant botulism. Symptoms of this rare but serious illness, which occurs in babies under one year old with immature gut microbiomes, include constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, and breathing difficulties.
Among the treatments available for symptomatic infants is BabyBIG, an intravenous medication derived from the blood plasma of immunized individuals. The outbreak does not raise immediate concerns about shortages for parents, as Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula accounts for less than 1% of all infant formula sold in the United States, the FDA stated.
Consumers who possess the recalled formula have been advised to discontinue its use immediately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged customers to document the lot number and use-by date of any opened cans and monitor their infants for illness.
The CDC also recommends labeling any remaining product as “DO NOT USE” and storing it safely away from other baby items for a month. If no symptoms develop after this period, caregivers should dispose of the formula responsibly.
This incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance in product safety, particularly when it comes to infant health, as investigations into the source of contamination continue.
