What parents should do about the June 2026 Nara formula recall
Federal officials are investigating a June 13, 2026 recall of Nara Organics infant formula after three confirmed or suspected infant botulism illnesses. Here is what parents should do now, which symptoms need emergency care, and what remains uncertain.
If you have Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula at home, stop using it now. CDC and FDA say Nara recalled all lots currently on the market on June 13, 2026, while federal and state officials investigate a multistate infant botulism outbreak.
If your baby used the formula and now has poor feeding, trouble sucking or swallowing, loss of head control, a weak or unusual cry, less facial movement, floppiness, or any breathing problem, seek medical care right away. If breathing slows, stops, or your baby seems limp or hard to wake, call 911.
What happened
FDA says officials are investigating three confirmed or suspected infant botulism illnesses in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. CDC says all three infants were hospitalized and no deaths had been reported as of June 13, 2026. FDA lists the last known illness onset as May 31, 2026.
The recalled product is Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula, sold nationally through Target stores, Target.com, and Nara.com. Federal officials say the brand makes up less than 1% of U.S. infant formula sales, so shortages are not expected from this recall.
What parents should do now
- Stop using the recalled formula immediately.
- If you have unopened cans, throw them away or return them.
- If you have an opened can, take a photo and record the lot number and use-by date.
- Consider keeping the opened can for now, clearly marked DO NOT USE and stored away from other feeding items, because a state health department may want to test it if your baby later develops symptoms.
- Wash bottles, scoops, and surfaces that may have touched the formula with hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.
- If your baby becomes sick, seek medical care first. After that, families can report an illness or other adverse event through FDA.
CDC says symptoms can take several weeks to appear, so parents should watch for signs of infant botulism for one month after their baby last used the product. If no symptoms appear after a month, leftover opened formula can be discarded. If you are not sure whether your can is included, the recall covers all lots currently on the market.
Symptoms that need urgent or emergency care
Infant botulism can start subtly. Constipation is common early, but parents may first notice feeding trouble, poor suck, weak cry, drooping eyelids, less facial expression, poor head control, or an overall floppy appearance. As the illness worsens, swallowing and breathing can become harder.
Go to urgent or emergency care right away if your baby has poor feeding, trouble swallowing, worsening weakness, loss of head control, or any breathing problem. The American Academy of Pediatrics describes botulism as a medical emergency, and MedlinePlus says to go to the emergency room or call 911 right away if an infant has symptoms of botulism.
What FDA and CDC know so far — and what they do not yet know
What officials say they know: all three infants in the current outbreak consumed Nara Organics powdered infant formula, and the illnesses were serious enough to require hospitalization. FDA says it recommended a recall because of the severity of illness and the epidemiologic signal. Officials in two states have collected leftover formula for testing, and more results are expected in the coming weeks.
What is still uncertain: the investigation was still in its early stages as of June 13, 2026. FDA says testing by federal and state partners is underway. In the company recall notice posted by FDA, Nara said its formula had not tested positive for Clostridium botulinum at the time the recall was announced. In other words, the recall was based on a serious outbreak link and ongoing investigation, not on a completed lab confirmation from recalled cans.
Why infant botulism is serious in young babies
Infant botulism happens when Clostridium botulinum spores grow in a baby’s intestines and produce a toxin that attacks nerves. MedlinePlus says the illness occurs mostly in infants between 6 weeks and 6 months of age, though it can happen earlier or later in infancy.
The condition can progress from constipation and feeding problems to muscle weakness, trouble swallowing, breathing failure, and weeks of hospitalization. Early recognition matters. Federal and pediatric sources say prompt treatment improves the chance of recovery.
A little context, without overreading it
A 2026 report indexed in PubMed and published in NEJM Evidence described a separate 2025 multistate infant botulism outbreak associated with a different powdered infant formula brand. That shows formula-associated infant botulism investigations have precedent, but it does not prove the same source or mechanism in the current Nara recall.
Quick takeaway
Stop using recalled Nara formula, save details from any opened can, watch your baby for symptoms for one month after the last use, and get urgent care right away for feeding problems, weakness, trouble swallowing, or breathing problems. For the latest official updates, check CDC and FDA.
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.
