Nara infant formula recall: What should parents do if their baby drank it?

If your baby drank the recalled Nara Organics formula, stop using it right away and watch closely for symptoms of infant botulism for the next month. If symptoms appear, get medical care immediately.

Federal health officials say this is a rare but serious outbreak investigation. Most families will never face infant botulism, and officials do not expect this recall to cause a broad formula shortage. The urgent part is that symptoms can start subtly and then worsen, so parents and caregivers should act quickly if a baby seems weak, constipated, or feeds poorly.

What officials know now

The CDC and FDA say three infants in three states were hospitalized after consuming Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula. The cases were reported in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Nara Organics recalled all of that formula on June 13, 2026, and the investigation is still open.

The product was sold at Target stores, Target.com, and Nara.com. FDA says the brand makes up less than 1% of infant formula sold in the United States, so officials do not expect a general formula shortage from this recall.

What remains important is that the public warning is already in effect even though the scientific work is not finished. FDA says leftover formula collected during the investigation is still being tested, so officials have not yet completed the full laboratory picture.

What symptoms matter most

Infant botulism often starts with constipation, but it may first be noticed as feeding trouble, a weak or different-sounding cry, or loss of muscle tone. Symptoms can take days to several weeks to appear.

Watch for these warning signs:

constipation
poor feeding or weak sucking
a weak, unusual, or quieter cry
trouble sucking, swallowing, or feeding normally
less facial expression
loss of head control
floppy arms, legs, or body
droopy eyelids
breathing problems

The CDC advises parents and caregivers to watch for symptoms for one month after a baby last consumed the recalled formula.

What to do with formula at home

If you have this recalled formula at home, do not feed it to your baby.

If the can is unopened, throw it away or return it.
Wash bottles, scoops, counters, and other items that may have touched the formula with hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.
If the can is already opened, take a photo of it and record the lot number and use-by date.
If possible, keep the opened can in a safe place away from other feeding items for at least a month, clearly marked DO NOT USE. State health officials may want to test it if your baby later develops symptoms.
If no symptoms appear within a month after the last feeding, the leftover formula can be discarded.

If you need a replacement formula, many babies can switch to a similar commercial formula, but check with your child’s pediatric clinician first if your baby has special feeding needs. The American Academy of Pediatrics also advises families not to use homemade formula as a substitute.

When this becomes an emergency

Seek immediate medical care if your baby used the recalled formula and develops constipation, poor feeding, a weak cry, trouble swallowing, loss of head control, decreased facial expression, droopy eyelids, or floppy muscles.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 right away if your baby has trouble breathing, seems very weak, or is hard to wake. MedlinePlus notes that infant botulism can be life-threatening and needs emergency evaluation.

What remains uncertain

FDA says testing of leftover formula is still underway. So while officials have enough information to recall the product and warn families not to use it, the final contamination findings are not yet complete.

That means two things can be true at once: the investigation is still evolving, and the safest step for families is already clear.

What families can do now

Check whether you have Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula at home.
Stop using it immediately if you do.
Save the can details, including the lot number and use-by date.
Watch your baby for symptoms for one month after the last feeding.
Get urgent medical care right away if symptoms appear.

The main message for parents is to act promptly, not panic. Officials do not expect a general formula shortage from this recall. But because infant botulism can worsen quickly, it is safest to stop using the formula now and seek medical help right away if a baby who used it seems weak, feeds poorly, or has trouble swallowing or breathing.

Sources

Editorial note: Weence articles are researched from cited public-health, medical, regulatory, journal, and reputable news sources and may be drafted with AI assistance. They are checked for source support, clarity, and safety guardrails before publication.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early or incomplete, and health guidance can change. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about personal symptoms, diagnosis, medications, vaccines, screenings, or treatment decisions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call emergency services right away.