Baby drank recalled Nara formula? What parents should do now
A June 2026 recall of Nara Organics infant formula is tied to a botulism outbreak. Here is what parents should do now and which symptoms need urgent care.
If your baby drank the recalled Nara Organics formula, stop using it now. Get urgent medical care right away if your child has poor feeding, trouble sucking or swallowing, unusual weakness or floppiness, a weak cry, less facial movement, or any breathing problems.
The recall covers all lots of Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula sold nationwide through Target stores, Target.com, and Nara.com. FDA says its outbreak page was current as of June 17, 2026, and the investigation was still ongoing at that time.
What happened
On June 13, 2026, Nara Organics announced a nationwide recall after FDA and CDC began investigating a multistate infant botulism outbreak linked by epidemiologic evidence to the formula. FDA says three infants in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington became ill, all three were hospitalized, and no deaths had been reported.
FDA also says Nara formula accounts for less than 1% of infant formula sold in the United States, so the recall is not expected to create broad shortage concerns.
Which product is recalled
The recall includes Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula in 400-gram and 700-gram cans. The company says all lots currently on the market are included. The lot code is printed on the bottom of each can.
What parents should do first
- Stop using the recalled formula immediately.
- Take a photo of the lot code and other label details before throwing anything away.
- If you still have an opened can and can store it safely away from anything else used to feed your baby, label it Do Not Use and keep it in a safe place for at least a month in case health officials want to test it.
- Wash bottles, scoops, counters, and other items that may have touched the formula with hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.
- Tell anyone else who feeds your baby about the recall so the formula is not used again by mistake.
What investigators know — and what they do not
So far, health officials say the babies who became ill had consumed Nara formula. But an important part of the investigation was still unresolved in mid-June: testing of leftover formula was still underway, and at the time of the recall announcement the company said its formula had not tested positive for Clostridium botulinum.
In plain language, that means the recall was driven by the seriousness of the illnesses and the pattern investigators saw, even though lab testing of the product was not finished.
Symptoms that mean get help right away
Infant botulism can start gradually. Early signs can include constipation, poor feeding, trouble sucking or swallowing, poor head control, drooping eyelids, a weaker or different-sounding cry, less facial expression, and overall weakness or floppiness. Breathing trouble can happen as the illness gets worse.
Symptoms may not show up right away. FDA says they can take several weeks to appear after formula exposure, and the American Academy of Pediatrics says the usual window is about 3 to 30 days.
Do not wait for product test results if your baby seems sick. CDC says suspected infant botulism should be treated as soon as possible and treatment should not wait for laboratory confirmation.
If your baby seems well right now
Do not panic, but do not ignore the recall. Watch closely over the next several weeks, keep the can or a clear photo of the lot code, and check that anyone else caring for your baby knows not to use the product. If you are unsure whether the formula you used is part of the recall, compare the product name, can size, and lot code before using it again.
If your baby develops feeding problems, trouble swallowing, unusual limpness, or breathing symptoms at any point, seek emergency care right away.
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.
