Nara Organics recalled its organic baby formula sold nationwide in Target stores and online after a multistate outbreak of infant botulism, federal authorities said. The recall affects Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered infant formula, which is also sold on Nara.com.

Infant Botulism Outbreak

Three babies between 2 and 5 months became ill in April and May in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington after consuming the formula. They were hospitalized and treated with the FDA-approved treatment for infant botulism.

Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness that occurs in babies under age 1, whose gut microbiomes are immature. It is caused when infants consume bacteria with spores that produce a toxin in the gut. Symptoms include constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, weak muscle tone, difficulty swallowing, and breathing problems, among others.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that anyone with an opened can take a picture, record the lot number and use-by date, and watch their infants for symptoms. The CDC advised labeling the formula ‘DO NOT USE’ and keeping it stored in a safe place away from other items used to feed the baby for at least a month. If no symptoms appear after a month, the leftover formula should be thrown away.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.