My baby drank recalled Nara formula: what to do and urgent warning signs

If your baby drank recalled Nara Organics formula, the most important step is to stop using it right away and watch for symptoms that could fit infant botulism.

Federal officials say all lots currently on the market of Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula are included in the June 13, 2026 recall. If your infant develops warning signs such as poor feeding, loss of head control, trouble swallowing, a weak cry, or breathing problems, seek immediate medical care.

Quick alert

The recall covers Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula sold in 400-gram and 700-gram cans. According to FDA, the product was distributed nationwide through Target stores, Target.com, and Nara.com between July 2025 and June 2026.

The practical takeaway is simple: do not use the recalled formula. If your baby has had it, watch for symptoms of infant botulism and get urgent help if symptoms appear.

What FDA has reported so far

In its June 26, 2026 update, FDA said it was investigating a multistate outbreak of three confirmed infant botulism illnesses in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. All three infants were hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. FDA listed the last illness onset date as May 31, 2026.

FDA said all three cases involved infants who had consumed Nara Organics powdered infant formula. The agency said it contacted the company on June 12, 2026 and recommended a recall because of the severity of illness and the epidemiologic link. Nara Organics announced the voluntary recall on June 13, 2026.

FDA also said this brand makes up less than 1% of infant formula sold in the United States, so the agency does not expect the recall to create a broader formula shortage.

Why infant botulism is treated as urgent

Infant botulism is rare, but it can become life threatening. CDC says the illness happens when Clostridium botulinum spores are swallowed, temporarily grow in an infant’s intestine, and produce a toxin that affects the nerves.

That urgency matters for parents because treatment decisions are based first on symptoms, not on waiting for a lab result. CDC says clinicians should not wait for laboratory confirmation to begin treatment when infant botulism is strongly suspected. MedlinePlus also warns that infant botulism can be life threatening and that families should go to the emergency room or call 911 right away if an infant has symptoms.

If your baby drank the recalled formula

Stop using the formula now.
Check the can. FDA advises parents and caregivers to take a picture and record the lot number and use-by date from the container.
Consider keeping any opened can for possible testing. FDA says to label it DO NOT USE and store it safely away from other items you feed your baby for at least a month in case public health officials want to test it.
Wash items and surfaces the formula may have touched. FDA advises cleaning them with hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.
Follow recall refund or return instructions. In the company notice posted by FDA, Nara said some direct website purchases will be refunded automatically, and Target customers can return product through Target.
If symptoms develop, seek medical care immediately. If your baby has breathing trouble, breathing that slows or stops, or is very hard to wake, call 911 right away.

Infant botulism warning signs that need urgent care

These symptoms do not prove botulism, but in a baby they are serious enough to need prompt medical attention. CDC and MedlinePlus list warning signs that can include:

Constipation, especially when it is new and comes with other symptoms
Poor feeding or a weak suck
Loss of head control or a floppy body
Drooping eyelids
Less facial expression than usual
A weak or changed cry
Trouble sucking, swallowing, or gagging
Extreme tiredness or weakness
Paralysis that seems to spread downward
Breathing trouble, slowed breathing, or breathing that stops

FDA says symptoms can take as long as several weeks to develop after formula ingestion, so a baby may not get sick right away.

What is still unknown

Testing is still underway. FDA said officials have collected leftover formula from some homes and unopened samples from lot numbers fed to affected infants, and more results are expected in the coming weeks.

The contamination route has not been confirmed. FDA said the lots linked to illness were made with milk supplied by Organic West Milk and spray dried by Dairy Farmers of America, the same suppliers involved in a 2025 ByHeart infant botulism outbreak. But the agency also said there is not enough evidence yet to determine whether that was the source or route of contamination in this outbreak.

In the company recall notice posted by FDA, Nara said its formula had not tested positive for C. botulinum to date. The recall remains in place while federal and state investigators continue to work on the source of the outbreak.

What families can do now

For now, the safest next step is to check your home for recalled Nara formula, stop using it, and keep the can or label details if you still have them. If your baby has any possible symptoms of infant botulism, do not wait to see if they pass. Seek urgent medical care.

Families who want updates can follow FDA’s outbreak investigation page and recall notice. For symptom guidance, CDC and MedlinePlus offer plain-language information that can help parents know when an infant needs immediate care.

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.